It’s probably safe to say that most people know that they need to eat healthy for their bodies and their teeth to be able to function properly and perform optimally for an entire lifetime. (Well, except maybe toddlers and young kids who would take candy over carrots any day.)
In honor of National Nutrition Month, our dental office in Alexandria thought it might be a good time to have a little refresher blog about the benefits of eating less sugary and processed foods and more delicious fruits and veggies.
What Foods Will Help My Teeth?
Your dentist in Alexandria agrees with the American Dental Association that certain foods and beverages can benefit your oral health because they’re rich in calcium and other beneficial tooth nutrients. They include:
- Milk
- Plain yogurt
- Cheese
- Tofu
- Leafy greens
- Almonds
- Apples
- Carrots
- Celery
Foods like red meat, eggs, poultry, and fish can also be rich in smile-boosting proteins and can be part of a healthy diet (unless of course you choose to stick to a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet). Just remember that foods and beverages rich with calcium and protein have the power to protect and fortify your tooth enamel, which is essential to maintaining your oral health. Once you lose your enamel or it begins to break down, there’s no way of getting it back.
You Can Never Go Wrong With Fruits and Vegetables
The reason why fruits and vegetables are so good for our smiles and our bodies is that most of them are rich with vitamin C and vitamin A. Can you guess what these powerful vitamins can do for your smile? They can keep your gums healthy, help wounds heal more quickly, and can also help build strong tooth enamel just like calcium and protein.
Most veggies and fruits also contain a good amount of water and fiber, which your entire body can benefit from. You can be sure you’re also stimulating your salivary glands and helping to wash away bacteria from your teeth when you crunch down on fresh fruits and veggies. This goes to show you why it’s super important to keep your smile healthy, so you’re able to enjoy these things without pain or discomfort.
The Obligatory ‘No Sugar’ Talk
So, we’re sure you already know our Alexandria dental office is never going to recommend a sugar-filled diet for any patient at any age. It is just not good for you or your teeth. The truth is, sweets can damage teeth because they cause acid levels to rise significantly with every unhealthy bite. This acid loves to attack your valuable tooth enamel that is impossible to recreate artificially, despite all of the advancements in modern dentistry. When your enamel wears down, your teeth are at risk for:
- Deterioration
- Decay
- Tooth sensitivity
- Discoloration
We always want to do everything we can to ensure total body health for our entire family of patients. If there’s something that you’re struggling with in terms of diet and how it could be affecting your smile health, please don’t hesitate to give us a call so we can talk. Together we can find a solution that works for you!
Welcoming patients from Alexandria, Old Town, Del Ray, and nearby neighborhoods.