Tag: weight

A lot of people have weight loss on their list of New Year’s resolutions, but striving to lose weight can be beneficial for more than just your waistline. In fact, losing weight has some distinct benefits for your oral health. Below, we share four ways that a total weight loss plan can be beneficial for your teeth.

1. Healthier Food Choices

If you’re making healthier food choices for your waistline, odds are these choices are also good for your teeth. For example, if you’re ditching the high starch, high carbohydrate and high sugar foods, it also means these foods aren’t going to stick to the surface of your teeth and cause damage. Healthier food choices like vegetables, legumes and low-fat dairy can all help you lose weight and avoid exposing sugars and acids to your teeth at a higher rate than if you made poorer food choices.

2. Water is Your Best Friend

It’s amazing how much weight some people can lose when they just cut soda or juices from their diet. If you’re trying to lose weight, making water your primary drink of choice is a great way to avoid empty calories. Also, sodas and juices are loaded with sugars and acids that serve to break down tooth enamel, so by avoiding these liquids, you’ll be protecting your teeth. Water also contains fluoride, which is a compound that helps to strengthen tooth enamel. Ditching soda for water does right by your weight and your teeth.

3. Sugar-Free Snacking

When you were craving a snack in the past, you may have reached for chips of cookies. But if you’re trying to lose weight, you’re probably going to look for a healthier option. Aside from grabbing some fresh veggies or a banana, consider chewing more sugar-free gum. This will help with saliva production, which helps to keep a healthy balance of bacteria in your mouth, and it can help curb cravings.

4. Exercise Instead Of Eating

A lot of times we eat because we’re bored, and this can be harmful to both your waistline and your teeth. If you’re committing to your health this year, instead of walking to the kitchen cabinet when you’re bored, lace up your running shoes and get some exercise. Exercise can help to control our appetites, and if you’re not snacking, you’re not exposing your teeth to products that can break down tooth enamel. It’s a win-win!

So if you’re committing to a healthier self in the new year, you can also take pride in knowing that you’re also helping keep your teeth and gums healthy. For more ways to keep the weight off and protect your teeth at the same time, or to setup your semi-annual dentist appointment, reach out to Dr. Brooks’ office today.