You may have made a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier this year. Not only will you feel better and have better overall health with a nutritious diet, you can help yourself to a healthy smile at the same time.
Eat and Drink Healthy
There’s a saying, “you are what you eat,” and this is especially true with your teeth. A poor diet filled with sugars, carbohydrates, and starches contributes to plaque, enamel-destroying acids, and tooth decay. However, they are necessary elements for a nutritious diet. You can control the amount and type by watching what you eat. Here are some food and drink choices that are beneficial to your oral health:
• Cheese – Studies have shown that the chewing required in eating cheese increases saliva and raises the pH in the mouth, reducing the risk of tooth decay. In addition, cheese contains calcium and protein to strengthen enamel.
• Leafy Greens – Greens are high in calcium, which aids tooth enamel. They also contain folic acid, which research has shown to possibly be useful for treating gum disease.
• Celery, Carrots, and Apples – The fibers of these three foods can act as a toothbrush, helping to clean teeth of buildup and stimulate the gums. Celery is also a good source of anti-oxidants, which helps maintain healthy gums. Chewing these crunchy snacks increases saliva production, which helps reduce tooth decay.
• No Added Sugar Yogurt – High in calcium and protein, yogurt is good for the strength of your teeth, and the probiotics help reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth that can cause tooth decay.
• Drink Water – One of the biggest things you can do for your oral health, as well as your general health, is to replace those sugary drinks with plain water. The acids and sugar in sodas promote tooth decay and weaken enamel.
You will no doubt agree that when your body and mouth are healthy you feel good, and when you feel good it seems like everything else in life is better. Think about making these few dietary changes and discover how much better you will feel!