Tag: food

Diet and Teeth

5 Good Foods & Drinks For Your Oral Health

Caring for your teeth is more than just getting regular checkups at the dentist’s office and brushing daily. Those are good starts, but we need to be doing more for our teeth and gums. One way in which we can improve our oral health is by eating certain foods and drinking certain liquids. These five foods and drinks are great for your teeth, gums, and jawbones.

Water

Water is a fantastic substance that holds many benefits for your teeth. For starters, tap water is treated with fluoride, a substance that helps to strengthen our tooth enamel. Just by drinking glasses of water throughout the day, you are helping to protect your teeth against cavities. Water is also beneficial because it can wash away food particles and sugars that can serve to break down tooth enamel, and it doesn’t have high acidity or come packed with sugars like other common drinks often do.

Milk

Milk helps to build strong bones, and the calcium in milk will help to strengthen your teeth. Milk is also helpful in helping foster healthy bone growth, which will help keep your jaw in perfect shape. If you’re not the biggest milk fan, look for other dairy products, like cheese, yogurt, or low-fat sour cream.

Lean Proteins

Lean proteins like chicken, fish, and eggs are all packed with phosphorus and proteins essential for tooth development. These foods help to strengthen your teeth and provide them with the nutrients they need to remain healthy throughout your life. Lean proteins should be a focal point of your diet.

Leafy Greens

Leafy green foods like lettuce, kale, broccoli, and spinach are more great options for your teeth. They are often high in fiber, and studies have shown foods high in fiber can help ward off tooth decay and tooth loss. These foods can also help to stimulate saliva production, which helps to remove harmful bacteria and neutralize acids in your mouth.

Nuts

Go nuts for nuts if you’re interested in helping to protect your teeth and gums. Peanuts, almonds, and other nuts contain proteins and minerals essential for your gum health, and they aren’t loaded with carbs, which can contribute to cavities. Similar to leafy greens, nuts can help to stimulate saliva production, which again helps to stop tooth decay in its tracks.

If you consume these options regularly and continue to brush and floss, we’re confident you’ll have good oral health. For more tips or information, contact our team today.

Teeth Friendly Snacks

4 Tips For Teeth-Friendly Snacking

Whether you’re trying to fix a snack for your children or for yourself, odds are you try to find something that’s at least somewhat healthy. Junk food and sugary sweets taste good, but they can also contribute to problems like diabetes and obesity. Aside from those health conditions, sugary snacks can also wreak havoc on your teeth. Below, we share four tips for making teeth-conscious decisions when it comes to snacking.

Limit Added Sugar

Some snack foods like milk, apples and oranges have natural sugars, and while keeping an eye on these natural sugars is crucial, the most important ingredient to watch is the added sugars. Examples of added sugar include sweeteners like corn syrup and white sugar, and the US Food and Drug Administration recommends that people over the age of three should have no more than 12.5 teaspoons of added sugar a day. That’s roughly the same amount of added sugar as in one can of soda. However, the World Health Organization only recommends 6 tsp. of added sugar for adults, and 3 tsp. for children. Added sugars can break down tooth enamel and contribute to cavities.

Regulate Juice and Soda

You probably know that sodas, even diet options, aren’t something you want to make a habit of drinking, but a lot of people have misconceptions about juice. Juice is high in both calories and sugar, so reach for the water and milk when possible. Children between the ages of 1-6 should only have 4-6 oz of juice a day, and regularly consuming juice puts your child at higher risk of tooth decay and cavity-causing bacteria.

Skip The Sticky Fruit Snacks

Just because the snack has fruit in the name, doesn’t mean it’s a great option for your child’s teeth. Fruit snacks and fruit roll ups are more candy than fruit, and because they can stick to your teeth, they can cause more damage than sugary drinks, which are easier to wash away. Even dried options like raisins can be problematic for their tendency to stick to teeth and cause damage for an extended period of time. Real fruit is preferred to artificial fruit products or sticky fruits.

Be A Good Example

Finally, getting your kids to snack on healthy options will be easier if they have a role model to look up to. If you’re chowing down Chex Mix or munching on M&M’s, your kids are going to want to do the same. Instead, see if they want to share an apple, or help them peel a clementine. Pair healthy snacking habits with a good dental care routine by showing your kids how you brush your teeth and floss on a daily basis!