Does the food you eat have an impact on your oral health? Is the old saying, “you are what you eat” accurate?
Firstly, it’s essential to note that your mouth hygiene plays a vital role in your overall health and well-being. Furthermore, a healthy smile has a positive impact on your self-confidence. Therefore, apart from the food you eat, it’s critical to brush and floss at least twice daily and visit a dental practice like Hawley Lane Dental routinely.
The best foods for your teeth
As mentioned above, the saying “you are what you eat” is indeed correct. According to the American Dental Association, your oral health is one of the first areas to fail when you follow an unhealthy diet. The most significant contributors to tooth decay are foods and drinks that are full of sugar such as soda and candy.
It is also worth noting that sugar is used as a preservative. This is to increase the shelf-life of products purchased in grocery stores. The idea behind food preservation is to prevent the growth of bacteria in processed foods. For example, sugar is used in ketchup both as a sweetener and a preservative. Therefore, when investigating whether a processed food contains sugar, it’s important to look for it in the list of ingredients.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the consequences of an unhealthy diet concerning your oral hygiene, let’s have a look at foods (and drinks) which will actively improve the quality your dental and mouth health:
Water
Most urban water supplies’ fluoride levels are monitored. If the fluoride levels are too low, it is artificially supplemented. This is because fluoride strengthens teeth and is used as the first line of defense against cavities. Therefore, it is important to drink lots water from your house tap. If your water supply is from a well, you can have the fluoride level tested to determine if you and your family need supplements.
Green leafy vegetables
All leafy green vegetables are full of essential minerals and vitamins that your body needs to build and maintain strong, healthy teeth. They are also high in calcium which is a primary element of tooth enamel. Finally, they contain Folic Acid which is a vital part of a pregnant woman’s diet as it helps with healthy fetal development as well as prevents gum disease in the expecting mom’s mouth.
Apples
Not only do apples contain natural sugars, but they are also rich in fiber and water. The biting and chewing actions when eating an apple aids in the production of saliva. This, in turn, rinses bacteria and food particles out of your mouth. The fruit’s fibrous texture also stimulates blood flow to the gums. Even though eating an apple should not be equated with brushing and flossing your teeth, it will give your mouth a good clean when eaten at the end of a meal.
Carrots and celery
Both carrots and celery eaten raw are crunchy and full of fiber. As with apples, they increase saliva production in your mouth, reducing the risk of cavities. Carrots, in particular, contain the antioxidant Vitamins A. And celery provides both vitamins A and C which improves the health of your gums.
