March is National Nutrition Month! This is an educational campaign focusing on eating nutrient dense foods, physical fitness, and overall health. A well-balanced diet, along with moderate exercise, helps to maintain your ideal body weight and reduces your risk of chronic illness such as heart disease and diabetes. The types of foods you eat have a direct affect on the health of your teeth and gums as well. Poor nutrition can lead to many oral health complications such as tooth loss and periodontal disease.
Some healthy food choices for healthy teeth and gums:
- Fruits and Vegetables are high in fiber and water. Chewing also stimulates the salivary glands, which helps wash away bacteria from the teeth.
- Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese aid in buffering the acid on the teeth and is rich in calcium that strengthens the enamel on your teeth.
- Lean proteins such as fish, poultry, and eggs are high in phosphorus. Phosphorus plays an important part in maintenance of strong bones and teeth.
“Next to calcium, phosphorus is the most abundant mineral in the body. These 2 important nutrients work closely together to build strong bones and teeth. About 85% of the body’s phosphorus is in bones and teeth.”
Source: UMM.edu
- Certain vegetables are also high in protein such as broccoli, sprouted beans, kale and other leafy greens.
- Nuts are also a great source of protein and are high in vitamins and minerals that keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong.
At South Tampa Smiles, we encourage nutritious food choices to keep your smile healthy and bright. Keeping your sugar intake to a minimum will help control the bacteria levels that cause tooth decay. Drinking plenty of water will not only keep you hydrated, it also rinses away excess food particles from your teeth. These simple dietary measures are equally as important as proper dental care at home, regular checkups and professional cleanings. Give us a call at (813) 289 – 0560 to make your next dental appointment and keep your smile in excellent health.
