A Tooth Friendly Diet

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A lot of our oral health is derived from brushing and flossing regularly as well as watching what we eat. It’s no secret that sticky, sugary, and starchy foods are bad for our teeth. They glob onto our enamel and provide the right fuel for bacteria to feed on and produce acid, which in turn damages our teeth. However, not everyone knows what he or she CAN eat in order to protect his or her teeth. Everyone just knows what to avoid. Luckily, our latest blog contains information that will teach you what you need to know in order to have a tooth friendly diet.

Calcium
Your mom was right when she told you from a young age that drinking your milk would provide you with strong bones. Since teeth and bones are made up of mostly the same substance, the calcium in milk helps benefit both. Of course, you can get calcium from other sources other than milk.

The reason why it’s so important to get enough calcium in your diet is because your body will leech it from your teeth if you don’t have enough. This causes your teeth to become weaker and more susceptible to cavities and other oral health issues. Your jawbone can also be affected by low calcium, which in turn leads to loose teeth that may fall out easier. If you do not wish to have dentures or dental implants, make sure you drink your milk, eat some cheese, or have some yogurt in the morning. These food and drink items contain a heavy amount of calcium to protect your oral health.

Vitamin C
Did you know that without Vitamin C your body’s ability to fight diseases is severely reduced? Since gingivitis or any other form of periodontal disease, is in fact an infection, it’s no surprise that those who have a Vitamin C deficiency have a higher chance at gum disease. In order to combat this risk, it’s recommended that you simply eat one piece of citrus fruit or even a kiwi. Although citrusy fruits contain a high level of acid, which can damage your enamel, one a day will not be able to do a considerate amount of damage. Therefore, you shouldn’t feel to guilty having an orange for breakfast. It’ll help your body fight diseases. Including the ones that affect your mouth.

Crunchy Veggies
It’s time for another motherly anecdote. Did your mother ever make you sit at the dinner table until you finished all of your vegetables? She was probably right in doing so…for multiple reasons. Nevertheless, vegetables are great for you in general. However, crunchy vegetables like celery and carrots are great for your oral health. They help out in two ways. One way is by acting like a detergent for your teeth. The fibrous, rough nature of carrots or celery can wipe away bacteria that cause plaque. They are nature’s toothbrush, in a way. The other way they help your oral health is by creating a lot of saliva in your mouth. These vegetables require a lot of chewing. By chewing, you also happen to be creating a lot of bacteria neutralizing saliva. These two things, when working together, can leave your mouth quite clean after dinner.

Of course, these aren’t the only food groups that can help keep that smile bright. However, these are the easiest of food groups to incorporate into your meals. A glass of milk, raw vegetables, and a citrusy fruit should be on the table at most meal. It’s not the hardest thing in the world in order to obtain a tooth friendly diet. It just takes a conscious effort in order to make sure each important food group is being eaten during every meal. Sometimes we opt for the easier meal as in fast food or take out. It’s okay. Our lives can become hectic at times. Just be weary of what you’re eating on a day-to-day basis. If quicker, easier meals are replacing an oral health/overall health conscious diet, you may need to switch things up a bit or find some more time to cook some tooth friendly meals. Your future self will thank you.

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