At the Center For Advanced Dentistry, we believe that nutrition plays a primary role in oral health. The optimal diet is unique for each person. Our basic recommendations include the following:

1. 50% of your diet should be fruits and vegetables (preferably organic) with a majority of these consumed as raw to get the available enzymes needed for optimal functioning of your body
2. Adequate protein intake is necessary for strong tissue structure (this amount varies depending on your activity level and physical state)
3. Carbohydrate intake should include foods made with whole grains. Many foods are labeled as multi-grain or whole grain, but many times the first ingredient listed is “wheat flour”. Unless it says whole wheat, it is white flour. This is especially true if “flour” is followed by a list of vitamins or is labeled as “enriched” or “fortified”. This means the flour has been processed and vitamins lost have been replaced with artificial ones. Most commercially prepared breads and pastries use white processed flour. Again, read labels carefully.
4. Fats (lipids) are not bad. They are an essential part of any nutritional plan. Lipids are needed by the body to make hormones and build cell walls, provide the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, & K, and are involved in many metabolic processes. The key factors are the types and amounts of fat. Essential fatty acids are vital to good health. Consuming a variety of whole foods that contain these fats such as raw nuts (especially almonds), avocados, fish with fins and scales, and flax seeds or flax seed oil will ensure that you are receiving the broad omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids that you need. Using small amounts of extra-virgin olive oil, cold-pressed oils, or organic butter is also an acceptable way to get this important nutrient into your body. Fat does contain more calories per gram than carbohydrate or protein but if you limit your fat grams to less than 20% of your total caloric intake (a 1500 calorie diet should include 30 grams of fat), then you will receive all the benefits and none of the hazards of fat.
5. Water is another vital nutrient needed by your body. One formula for calculating the amount needed is to drink half of your body weight in ounces (i.e. if you weigh 128 pounds, you would drink 64 ounces (8 glasses) of water every day). Things such as coffee, sugar, caffeine and alcohol dehydrate your body so you will need to drink additional water when consuming them to avoid dehydration.
6. Consume mostly whole foods and avoid foods such as sugar, white flour, and processed foods with artificial colorings and preservatives. (Shopping only the outside aisles of your grocery store helps eliminate the temptation to use processed foods)
7. Consult with a knowledgeable qualified practitioner before making any dietary changes or including any supplements (vitamins, minerals, powders, etc.) in your routine. We work with several area specialists in nutrition and can make appropriate recommendations or referrals.