Diet and Teeth
Who doesn’t want a healthy smile and pearly whites? It turns out diet can be a major contributor to an achieving the healthy teeth you have always wanted. Focus on eating a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains, chicken, and fish, as well as organic varieties of certain foods for protection against pesticides.
Although cutting soda consumption completely can be an extreme change for some, limiting its presence in your diet is a simple way to reduce your risk for cavities and boost your oral health. If you’ve already made the switch from full-sugar sodas to diet, for example, it’s a good idea to cut out similar diet drinks, too. They may be “sugar-free,” according to the Wisconsin Dental Association, but they are very acidic and can still damage teeth over time.
What can you drink instead of soda? Plain tap water is a good choice. Try replacing one can of soda per day with a glass of water to start, then keep switching out your sodas with more water until you’ve finally said goodbye to this carbonated snack for good. Milk is another great choice that provides plenty of calcium which helps fight off gum disease.
Making small changes to your day will improve your dental health greatly over time, but remember to keep up the habits you already embrace. Continue to brush twice a day and schedule twice-a-year appointments with your dentist, and you’ll set yourself and your family up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
