How to Healthy Teeth - Dental Tips

With the New Year brings new resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle, including eating healthier. While many people think of eating healthier as a way to lose weight or lower blood pressure, did you know eating healthier also has a positive effect on your oral health?


It's true - as the saying goes, "You are what you eat," and your whole body, including your mouth, is affected by what you put in it every day.

Of course we can't all be perfect all the time. And while abstaining from those sugary snacks as much as possible will go a long way towards improving your oral health, prevention is always the best medicine.

By adjusting your diet to include antioxidants and other nutrients, you can help strengthen your body's immunity and improve its ability to fight bacteria and inflammation, which can help protect the teeth and gums and even help prevent cavities!

The added bonus is overall health - by eating a more balanced diet you can also decrease your chances of getting systemic conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease and just feel better overall.

So as you write down your New Years resolutions this month, be sure to include some or all of these proactive steps to help keep you smiling during orthodontic treatment:

1. Eat foods that have plenty of folic acid. Folic acid is the superfood for your teeth. It plays a major role in cell repair and growth, preserving gum tissues and safeguarding the mouth against diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. Folic acid can also reduce inflammation in the gums and make them more resilient to dental plaque and anaerobic bacteria, two of the main culprits in tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. Folic acid can be found in green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and okra, as well as beans and legumes.

2. Increase your calcium consumption. Calcium helps bones and enamel stay strong. Include milk, cheese and other dairy products in your diet. If you're vegan or lactose intolerant you can supplement your dairy intake with kale, garlic, broccoli, spinach or okra, all of which are high in calcium.

3. Adjust your diet. Braces can make eating certain foods difficult, and in some cases it can break your brackets or little pieces of food can get stuck in your braces or between teeth, creating a breeding ground for cavities. Try taking up healthy smoothies, enjoy softer snacks and avoid some foods altogether.



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