Diet Can Affect Your Oral Health

Protect Your Oral Health Through Good Nutrition

If you thought eating healthy was good for your body, you’re right.  But did you know healthy eating can improve your oral health?

It’s important to eat from all the major food groups, while eating some extras sparingly; oils and fats.

A healthy diet is important for helping to prevent cavities and keep your teeth whiter.    Most times cavities are a result of what we eat and the frequency of eating those foods.

Practices for Good Oral Health

We all know that eating sugar based foods can cause cavities.  A great example of how to eat sugar based food is to eat food containing natural sugar found in fruit. The water in fruit minimizes the affects of harmful acid that can weaken tooth enamel.  Also, adding your sugar based foods into your main meal is better for your teeth than eating sugar based food in between meals.  If you do eat sugar based foods, be sure to brush your teeth directly after eating to minimize the risk of cavities and maintain good oral health.

When you eat starchy food that can turn into sugar in your mouth, the best practice is to brush directly after eating, thus preventing the sugars from creating cavities.  To maintain oral health, brush after eating breads, pasta, crackers and chips.  This oral health practice will keep your mouth free of developing sugar.

Foods that Help Remove Plaque 

One of the keys to good oral health is eliminating plaque.  Apples, celery, cucumber, radish, pears and watermelon are just some of those foods that help remove plaque.  Most crunchy raw foods are great for the chewing exercise that keeps your teeth strong and your gums healthy.  You can chop, grate, dice or juice raw foods and try to practice consuming raw foods after meals as the high water content will clean your teeth and gums.  Another practice for good oral health!

Try Eating Meals or Snacks Every 2 – 3 Hours

It’s best not to eat too many times during the day.  The mouth needs time to allow the acid level in your mouth to fall, giving saliva the ability to counteract the destructive affect of acid on the tooth enamel.

Good Oral Health is Good Overall Health

It is evident that it all begins with what goes into your mouth that affects your teeth and, as a bonus, your overall health.

Consider the benefits of consciously eating foods good for your teeth and make it part of your lifestyle Make good choices for snacking; remember to brush after eating to clean any sugars or acids and keep some raw foods handy for snacks and after meals.

And, imagine the rewards for practicing good oral health.