Support strong teeth with proper nutrition from your family dentist in SW Calgary.
Just because you take care of your teeth does not guarantee a healthy mouth. Dental health also relies on the food and drinks you consume. Your diet affects every part of your body which includes teeth and gums, therefore the saying, you are what you eat, is essentially true. Your family dentist in SW Calgary can provide recommendations for foods that aid in a positive oral health journey and which products should be avoided.
Sugar – A Leading Culprit for Negative Oral Health
Do you love snacking on candies or drinking sugary juice? Moderate consumption is fine, but indulging them too often in your favourite sweets can lead to dental problems. Gum recession and cavities can be the result of an increase in harmful bacteria that feed on sugar. A less serious but embarrassing side effect is constant bad breath, also known as halitosis. This happens because the sugar interacts with your good, natural bacteria and turns what may start as a sweet smell into something quite the opposite.
How Sugar Affects Your Teeth and Gums
The PH balance inside your mouth is thrown off when you consume a lot of sugar. This leads to an acid-heavy environment that can begin to eat away at your gums and tooth enamel. Here are some foods and drinks to avoid or have less often because they are high in sugar:
- Fruit juices like grape and apple juice.
- Pop like cream soda and colas, or Energy drinks.
- Candies, cookies, chocolates, jellies, and fruit roll-ups.
- Cereal bars due to their high content of high fructose syrups.
- Flavoured yogurt as most contain added sugar.
- Canned soups (many canned meals contain added sugar and are high in sodium).
- Salad dressings, reading the label will help you avoid added sweeteners.
- Bread (a lot of bread products have sugars hiding in their ingredients).
There can be many hidden sugars in items you regularly buy at the grocery store so always check the list of ingredients before making your purchase.
Strong Teeth and Healthy Gums Are Built on These Food and Drink Products
Many food and drink items are great for your overall health, and some even help keep your teeth strong. Healthy enamel is essential in breaking down the food you eat and is less likely to sustain decay. Teeth are connected to your jawbone which helps form your facial structure. When you lose teeth due to an unhealthy diet, your appearance can be altered. Here are some things known to help strengthen your enamel and keep your gums healthy:
- Dairy products like milk and cheese.
- Vitamin and fibre-rich raw fruits like apples and strawberries.
- Calcium-rich foods like almonds and cashews.
- Lean proteins like tofu and fish.
- Vitamin C heavy fruits like grapefruits and oranges.
- Magnesium-filled grains like barley and wheat.
- Vitamin D fueled ingredients like cod liver oil and sardines.
- Natural sodium fluoride-rich foods like beets and beans.
Next time you go grocery shopping, try to add more of these items to your cart so you can incorporate them into your daily nutrition plan. Your dentist in SW Calgary will be impressed by the strength of your teeth and the health of your gums.
Hydration and Why It Is Important
Drinking plenty of water is more important than you may realize. H2O keeps you energized and sends nutrients to your cells. It also helps wash away food particles that may be stuck in your teeth after a meal. It can help prevent a dry mouth by keeping your saliva production up and washing away plaque and tartar. Most tap water contains a tiny amount of fluoride which when consumed helps fight bacteria.
For optimal oral health, water should be your go-to drink throughout the day and night. Drinking plenty of water puts you at a lower risk of getting cavities and gum diseases. Your family dentist in SW Calgary will concur that staying hydrated is beneficial for your oral health and your overall health. Feel refreshed with every gulp you take!
Healthy Consumption
Keep your oral health positive by increasing salivation, protecting your enamel, washing out of your mouth, and strengthening your teeth. Healthy eating and drinking do wonders for the way you feel and the way your body functions. Make sure you eat balanced meals filled with ingredients that help protect your teeth and gums from deterioration.
Of course, visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings is crucial as well. At Glenbrook Dental, we are your family dentist in SW Calgary, ready to help with all your dental health concerns.