Eating your Way to a Healthier Smile this Year
Surely, you’ve heard the adage, “You are what you eat,” at some time in your life. Yes, the saying certainly has some truth. You may already know that if you eat a bunch of junk food, you will have poor health and gain weight. But have you ever given any thought to how the food you eat affects your teeth? As your New Year’s resolutions commence, consider how your diet affects your teeth and gums, and what you should eat to maintain a healthier smile this year. Our Louisville family dentists at Exceptional Dentistry share on the blog today the worst foods that can harm your oral health and the best foods that promote healthy teeth and gums.
What foods should I avoid regularly?
Most people understand that carb-heavy or sugar-laden foods can damage their health. Unfortunately, the same is true when it comes to your mouth, especially since that’s where the food passes to the body. Foods that are high in sugar content are bacteria’s best friend and are a primary food source that may result in cavities or gum disease. Therefore, our Jeffersonville family dentists advise patients to avoid foods with high amounts of carbohydrates or sugars. For example, soda, candy, bread, cookies, donuts, sweet tea, and many more foods and beverages can negatively impact your oral health and put your pearly whites at risk for decay and damage.
What are some smile-healthy foods?
Making healthy food and beverage choices will not only benefit your overall health and wellness, but it can protect your smile too. Like foods you should avoid, several healthy foods provide benefits for your smile.
Our Shepherdsville family dentists share below the most smile-healthy foods that can keep your grin grand.
- Cheese – Cheese contains a modest amount of sugar while yet maintaining a comparatively high calcium level. Casein, a kind of protein that may be found in milk, may also be beneficial in warding off tooth decay. Regularly consuming dairy products can also help combat bad breath.
- Fresh, Crunchy Produce – Consuming carrots, celery, and apples help remove plaque from your teeth and toughens up your gums. You should not, however, skip your usual oral hygiene regimen.
- Fish – Phosphorus is still another component that must be present for good tooth enamel to be maintained, and common fish such as salmon are excellent sources of this mineral.
- Cranberries – Have you heard that cranberries contain a significant amount of antioxidant polyphenols? Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that could be beneficial in the fight against plaque formation.
- Nuts – Cashews may increase saliva production, which is beneficial for rinsing away food particles that have lingered on your teeth and gums. Almonds and peanuts are both excellent sources of calcium, but cashews may have this effect as well.
- Pears – Did you know that, unlike most other fruits, eating pears may lower the amount of acid that is produced in your mouth? Try eating a pear the next time you’re starving but don’t have much time to sit down and eat something.
Family Dentists in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Louisville and Shepherdsville, Kentucky
Your smile can make an impact and a statement the moment you open your mouth, even though you don’t utter a word. While tooth enamel is the body’s strongest element, it’s still vulnerable to damage from the foods and beverages you consume daily. Regular consumption over time can cause damage to your smile and make the wrong impression in social situations. Therefore, our family dentists recommend scheduling a checkup and cleaning to prepare your mouth for better eating habits. Once your smile is clean, it will be easier to maintain its cleanliness with daily oral care and a healthy diet. Call Exceptional Dentistry today at (502) 423-7868 or request an appointment online.
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