Enjoy the Benefits of Healthy Teeth Through Healthy Eating
The foods you eat and how often you eat them can affect your general health. It also affects the health of your teeth and gums. If you drink too many sugary sodas, sweetened fruit drinks or high calorie snacks, you could be at risk for tooth decay. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic disease for children and impacts adults too. Tooth decay is entirely preventable, but it takes dedication and determination to eat right and take care of your oral health.
Nutrient-rich foods promote healthy gums and teeth. A balanced diet of fruit and vegetables, protein-rich foods, foods replete with calcium and whole grains provides vital nutrients for good oral health as well as your overall health benefits as well. If your diet doesn’t provide the nutrients your body needs, your oral health may have a difficult time resisting infection which contributes to periodontal disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults.
You Are What You Eat
Everything you eat or drink comes into contact with your teeth and has an impact on the health of your teeth and gums. The typical American diet is made up of processed foods and highly acidic drinks that erode tooth enamel, causing cavities. These types of foods harm your teeth.
Other food choices contain essential nutrients to keep them healthy and strong. If you choose foods from the basic food groups, you can create a healthy diet that will benefit your overall health.
Foods Choices That Will Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Whole Grains
Whole grains contain iron, B vitamins, and magnesium. All these nutrients are important vitamins and minerals to strengthen bones, teeth, and gums. Foods such as brown rice, whole-grain cereals, bran, whole wheat bread, and pasta are good sources of whole grains.
Calcium
Calcium is a prime nutrient for helping to prevent tooth decay. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), eating calcium and phosphorus rich foods, such as meat, eggs and fish can help keep tooth enamel strong and healthy, and it helps prevent gum disease. Milk, cheese, yogurt, along with fish, leafy greens, and almonds are good sources of calcium.
Eat Plenty of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Fruit and vegetables are loaded with nutrients, but they are also rich in fiber. High fiber foods produce saliva, which creates a mineral defense against tooth decay. Good sources of fiber include beans, peanuts, almonds, dried and fresh fruits. Bananas, apples, and oranges are excellent sources of high fiber and other nutrients. Chewing foods such as apples, carrots, and cucumbers are good for your teeth because they also act as a cleansing agent, clearing away harmful bacteria and debris that would otherwise settle on your teeth.
Protein
Protein is an essential building block for growth and essential for your oral health. Sources of protein include lean beef, poultry, and fish; dry beans, peas and other legumes.
Water is the Best Beverage for Your Teeth
Fluoridated tap water is the best beverage there is. If you’re thirsty, reach for a glass of tap water. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to acid attacks from sugars and plaque bacteria.
Regular Dental Appointments Are Vital For Healthy Teeth
Proper nutrition along with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are critical components to having healthy teeth.
A check-up every six months with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS, will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Make an appointment online or call to schedule an appointment today at (720) 409-0008.
Healthy eating and dental check-ups twice a year, will help reduce your risk of cavities, and will help you to enjoy healthy teeth!
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