A good diet is about more than just your waistline and strong body. You are what you eat, and more importantly, the health of your gums and teeth depend on what you eat.
At Peachtree Smile Center, Dr. Evis Babo encourages healthy eating. Here are a few things to dish up, along with a few things to steer clear of in your diets.
Yes, please!
Fiber-rich fruits and veggies
They are great for you and help to keep your teeth and gums clean. Fruits and vegetables also create more saliva in your mouth. This is how your body defends itself against cavities and gum disease. Your saliva reduces the affect that acids and enzymes from foods have on your teeth. Saliva also contains traces of calcium and phosphate, which aids in the restoration of minerals to teeth that have been damaged by the bacterial acids found in lots of foods we eat. Eat your veggies lightly steamed or raw to maintain all their health benefits.
Dairy products
CHEESE! Who doesn’t like cheese? Another saliva-producer, it also aids in rebuilding tooth enamel. Your teeth will thank you when you consume milk, yogurt, and tofu (made with calcium sulfate).
Phosphorus
This mineral is good for building strong teeth. You can find it in eggs, dairy, nuts, lean meats, fish, and beans.
Vitamin C
This happy vitamin promotes good gum health and can be found in fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, most citrus fruits, peppers, potatoes, spinach, and broccoli.
Green and black tea
These contain polyphenols that either kill or deter bacteria that cause plaque and acids that attack your teeth. Remember - everything in moderation! Black tea, if consumed in high quantities, can stain your teeth.
No thanks!
Starchy foods
These softer starchy foods tend to get trapped between your teeth and like to wreak havoc. Soft breads, french fries, and potato chips are major culprits here. Try to limit the intake of these items.
Sticky candies
Sweets that are super chewy also can get stuck between the teeth and create that nasty bacteria that cause plaque. The goal is to eat things that can easily wash away from our teeth and gums. The ADA reports that chocolate washes off the teeth more quickly than other candies. So, if we must pick the lesser of two evils, try to choose a darker chocolate (at least 70% cacao) that has some other health benefits, but always follow a sweet binge with brushing, flossing and rinsing.
Carbonated beverages and soft drinks
Most of these beverages contain phosphoric acid and citric acid. These acids wear away our tooth enamel and tend to be loaded with sugar, and food colorings can stain your teeth.
The moral of the story here is to try to eat for a healthier body and to be mindful of what we put into our bodies for our overall health benefits. We know there are always going to be moments of indulgence. Here are some tips from the ADA that help reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Limit between-meal snacking.
Drink more water. Fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay.
Rinse your mouth after you eat and drink anything that can coat or get stuck in your teeth.
Brush your teeth twice a day. Floss at least once a day.
Cheers to good eating and healthy teeth and gums!
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