While daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing are essential for a healthy smile, nutrition has an effect on your dental health as well.
Try eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods from all the food groups. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein foods, calcium-rich foods and whole grains.promotes healthy teeth and gums. Look for foods that provide essential nutrients for optimum oral health as well as overall health.
Optimum Oral Health
- Calcium-Rich Foods: To help promote strong teeth and bones, eat foods like low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese, fortified soy drinks and tofu, canned salmon, almonds and dark green leafy vegetables.
- Phosphorus: Good for strong teeth, found in eggs, fish, lean meat, dairy, nuts and beans.
- Vitamin C : It helps promote gum health, so make sure to eat plenty of citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, potatoes and spinach.
Practices like smart snacking also can keep your mouth in good shape.
Try to resist the urge to snack frequently — the more often you eat, especially between meals, the more likely you are to introduce harmful acid attacks on your teeth. If you do choose to snack, pick wisely. Avoid any sugary treats such as hard or sticky candy, no matter how much you love them, and opt for nutritious choices such as raw vegetables, fruits, plain yogurt and popcorn. Always remember to brush after snacking to keep cavities at bay. If you’re in a situation where you can’t brush, try to rinse your mouth with water to get rid of food particles.
If you’re caring for a baby, make sure to avoid pacifying your infant, toddler or young child with a bottle of juice, formula or milk. Continuous sucking on a bottle bathes the teeth and gums in liquid which can contribute to early tooth decay. If you have a young child, try to give them healthy treats that aren’t high in sugar; avoid sugary snacks, sweets and other processed foods that may be unhealthy for their teeth. Keep reminding them to properly brush twice a day and get them into the habit of good oral care.
In addition to remembering to constantly eat healthy, most oral health issues can be easily prevented by practicing good oral hygiene, such as brushing teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice a day, remembering to floss once a day, drinking fluoridated water daily and looking for regular oral health care.
