Taking Advantage Of A Healthy Diet To Maintain Optimum Oral Health
There’s a long tradition among parents and dentists of focusing on the things you should avoid eating when discussing food-related to dental health. While the advice they give remains important, there is a lack of information being shared about what foods you can eat to improve your oral health! Sure, brushing twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash are all going to have an important impact on your oral health, but you can’t forget diet! Below we’re going to discuss the fruits, nuts, meat, vegetables, dairy, and grains that are involved in a tooth-healthy diet.
Phosphorous, Phosphorous, and Calcium are Essential To Oral Health
Good Oral Health Through Tooth Healthy Food Choices
It all starts with a consistent dental hygiene routine, but where do you go from there? Our teeth and gums aren’t alone in our mouths; we also have a tongue, lips, and jaw bone that plays an important role in our oral health. All of these complex structures require a diverse diet to keep healthy, starting with limiting your intake of acids and sugar. When looking for tooth-healthy choices, focus on the nutrients listed below:
- Calcium – If it’s leafy and green, it’s probably packing a significant amount of iron and calcium, nutrients critical to good oral health. Milk, salmon, cheese, tofu, and almonds are all good sources of calcium too!
- Phosphorus – Teeth and bones rely on phosphorous and calcium to remain strong and healthy. Phosphorous is commonly found in nuts, fish, lean meat, beans, and eggs!
- Vitamin C – Also known as citric acid, Vitamin C is essential to our gum health. You want to be careful about rinsing after consuming it, but be certain you get plenty!
A number of the foods on this list also double as great alternatives to snack foods that are typically heavy in carbs. Carbohydrates turn into sugars in our body and can play a role in tooth decay! Next time you’re considering reaching for chips, try some dried fruit and nuts instead!
Vitamin C Is Great For Your Teeth, But Remember To Rinse After Eating Citrus!
Pre-Teeth Baby’s Benefit Too!
Considering the role they play in your oral health, it should come as no surprise that baby needs these nutrients as well! Remember that while juices, dairy, and nut milk are all good sources of necessary vitamins, they also can damage the baby’s teeth if given in a bottle at night. When nap time comes, give your baby a bottle to protect their developing teeth, and rub down their gums after giving them juice, milk, or snacks! This will help develop good oral health habits as well as ensure they don’t develop problems with decay in their developing teeth!
