Amazing Foods That Will Improve Your Smile
[Eating a balanced diet can improve your oral health and smile. Find out more about what you need to eat to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong.]
Your dentist has probably spoken to you about the importance of good oral hygiene during regular dental appointments. This means that you and your loved ones are aware of the negative impact poor oral hygiene has on your smile and overall oral health.
But did you know that, apart from brushing and flossing your teeth daily, your diet and nutrition play a significant role in maintaining your smile? Proper nutrition can go a long way in not only improving your smile but also strengthening your teeth.
Most of the time, we tend to overlook the impact our eating habits have on our oral health. For instance, consuming sugary foods can put as at a high risk of developing tooth decay and cavities.
Other than that, having meals that are packed with carbohydrates or starchy foods can make you develop halitosis.
Indeed paying attention to what we eat can drastically improve our oral health and set us on a path towards achieving our most coveted smiles.
Let’s look at why having a nutrient-rich diet is beneficial for your gingiva and teeth.
Benefits of Proper Nutrition for Your Gums and Teeth
Consuming a variety of nutrient-packed foods is vital for the proper development and maintenance of your gums and teeth. These essential nutrients ensure that your oral health stays at its optimum.
Proper nutrition plays a significant role in maintaining oral health. It can prevent the onset and progression of dental diseases or conditions such as tooth decay and periodontal diseases.
Here are some of the fundamental nutrients that contribute to you having good oral health;
- Calcium– This is fundamental for the development of healthy teeth and jaw bone and keeps dental erosion at bay
- Phosphorous– mainly sourced from dairy products, fish and eggs, also crucial for ensuring your teeth stay strong
- Vitamins– sourced from fruits and vegetables, they ensure that your gums remain healthy and disease-free. They also regulate the metabolism of calcium and phosphorous
- Water- is an efficient mouth cleaner, and boosts your saliva production
- Fiber– improves your generation of saliva, which is your first line of defense against plaques and dental caries
- Fluoride– that can be sourced from drinking tap water is essential for protecting teeth from decay
Foods That Are Great for Your smile and oral health
Here are some of the great food choices that will help maintain your pearly whites and overall oral health;
Green leafy vegetables
Leafy vegetables such as kales and spinach are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that promote your oral health. They are also rich in calcium responsible for maintaining your enamel, antioxidants, and folic acid, which prevents periodontal issues.
Our top-notch dentist, Dr France Nielson, always emphasizes during dental visits how important it is to include such vegetables in your daily meals, to ensure you are getting all the nutrients they have to offer.
Yogurt
Yogurt is rich in calcium and protein, both of which are essential in strengthening and maintaining healthy teeth. It is also packed with probiotics that are beneficial to your oral health because they help prevent halitosis and tooth decay.
Celery
This may not be a favorite because of its bland taste; however, it is rich in vitamins C and A, both of which help keep periodontal issues at bay. It also does act like a toothbrush and prevents bacteria accumulation in your mouth after your meal.
It is also a good source of fiber, which is essential for saliva stimulation
Almonds
Almond is rich in calcium, phosphorous, and protein and makes for a very filling and low-calorie snack or salad topping.
Cheese and milk
Cheese is high in calcium and contains casein an essential protein that fortifies your tooth’s enamel. Cheese is also a good source of phosphorous, which balances your mouth’s PH levels and preserves your tooth’s enamel.
Milk is packed with calcium and lowers acidity levels in your mouth that are conducive for tooth decay.
Carrots
They are crunchy and make for great teeth cleaners and saliva stimulators. They are also rich in vitamin C, keratin, and calcium. Carrots help keep decay-causing bacteria at bay by boosting your saliva production.
Apples
Just like carrots, apples are crunchy and rich in fiber. This fibrous property not only boosts saliva production but also stimulates your gingiva. They are good mouth cleaners.
Raisins
Raisins, although sticky, are good for your dental health. This is because they are rich in antioxidants that prevent periodontal infections and diseases.
Meat and fish
These are excellent sources of phosphorous, which is vital for maintaining your enamel. Meat also helps in saliva generation, which keeps tooth decaying bacteria at bay.
Tea
Tea is rich in polyphenols that are potent antioxidants. They also reduce inflammation and promote cell regeneration, which is fundamentally essential in combating oral cancer. Tea has also been found to keep halitosis at bay.
Water
Water is often under looked, but it is vital in maintaining your oral health. It flushes away, cavity-causing bacteria and residual food particles. Water also boosts your saliva production.
At The Tooth Family Dental, we know how important nutritious food is to your oral health. Visit our Las Vegas family dentist today and let us set you on the right dietary path towards attaining better oral health.