It doesn’t matter if you are coming to see us for orthodontic treatment or just want to keep a healthy mouth, you should consider the importance of nutrition and oral health. Nutrition is a significant influencer of oral health and can affect the development and progression of oral diseases or other teeth imperfections. Additionally, healthy food can help protect your teeth whereas a poor diet can affect them negatively.
A Healthy Smile Comes From A Healthy Diet
Natural sugars are the best sugars as there is no evidence that the sugars that exist in foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and starch-rich staples like rice and bread are harmful to teeth. This is fantastic news since these foods are fantastic sources of vitamins and minerals. These foods benefit your overall health but more specifically, they make your teeth strong and help protect enamel. For an easy reference, we have compiled a list of foods that promote oral health.
Fresh fruits and vegetables
The more colorful your plate, the better nutrition your meal should have. Eating fruits and vegetables are great for your oral health. In particular, leafy greens contain high amounts of magnesium, vitamin A & C, beta carotene, and calcium, which are all important nutrients in improving and maintaining oral health.
Whole grain bread and pastas
These food items contain a ton of nutrients and work to keep your teeth and gums healthy by offering up complex carbohydrates that help limit the growth of bacteria.
Chicken, red meat, and fatty fish
We can’t forget protein which is necessary to keep a healthy mouth. Did you know that it also contains phosphorus, which is vital to strengthen your teeth and protect your tooth enamel.
Plain water
Plain water is fantastic for your oral health. It helps protect your mouth by washing away any leftover food that bad bacteria are looking for while also diluting the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria flock to sugars that are left in your mouth by sodas, juices and sports drinks. These drinks also can have phosphoric, citric or malic acids added to them and can compound enamel erosion. Water goes a long way in keeping your mouth clean and cavity-free but is no substitute for your oral hygiene routine.
Variety and Moderation
To keep up with your oral health, you should be eating a variety of the foods mentioned above daily. This is because no single food, drink or shake can meet all of the daily nutrient requirements you need. As well as eating foods from the major food groups, you should be eating foods in moderation and reducing your snacking. Just by eating a balanced diet and reducing your snacking, you can improve your oral health!