708-422-1900 With the new year, many people are striving for a healthier lifestyle and diet. This can often be hard when you don’t know where to start and how to avoid your favorite foods. However, having a healthy diet is essential to not only your oral health, but your overall health as well.
According to the American Dental Association, if your nutrition is poor, the first signs of a poor diet show up in your oral cavity before they appear in other parts of your body. When you eat, the nutrients in your food are first broken down by your teeth as you chew and absorb the substances.
Here are some foods that should be included into your life for a positive, healthy diet:
• Grains
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Fat-free dairy foods
• Lean protein
• Drink lots of water
Having a healthy diet isn’t just about eating healthy foods; it’s also about remembering the important tips, like not snacking between meals. Since most snack foods consist of high sugar, they do more harm than good to your body and your teeth. When you snack, the bacteria from the foods live in your mouth, increasing your risk for developing cavities and gum disease.
Having a healthy diet isn’t the only way to avoid tooth decay. Remembering to brush your teeth for at least two minutes a day, twice a day, will help polish your teeth and keep cavities from forming. Flossing is the crowning jewel when it comes to oral care. Flossing keeps cavities and plaque from building up where your toothbrush cannot reach. Keeping your teeth clean and your gums free from bacteria, you can keep tooth decay away from your beautiful smile.
If you have questions about your oral health, please call us today at 708-422-1900. Let us lead you to positive oral health for the new year.