We’ve all heard the saying ‘you are what you eat.’ When we think about the health of our teeth and gums, we naturally think about brushing and flossing. But what we’re eating can also greatly affect our oral health and is just as important to consider as healthy brushing habits!
There are many different choices you can make for the health of your teeth and gums. Some different nutritional aspects to consider are:
- Avoid sugary snacks and drinks: the sugars they contain are deposited on your teeth, leaving you with plaque build-up and a greater chance for cavities.
- Drink water: It helps wash down the sugar you do eat so it doesn’t attach itself to plaque.
- Eat fruits and vegetables: Those that contain Vitamin C are beneficial to maintain healthy gums. Many, such as apples and pears, contain high water content. This helps to neutralize the sugars they contain and stimulate saliva production that helps to remove food particles that have become lodged in the teeth.
- Dairy products: Some provide calcium, which is essential to healthy tooth development (like bones!) and re-depositing enamel on teeth that has been lost through acid erosion.
The potent combination of good nutritional choices and regular brushing and flossing habit will keep your teeth and gums healthy and looking great!