Some obvious and not-do-obvious diet tips to keep your teeth healthy
Here are some diet tips to keep your teeth healthy so that your smile stays healthy and bright. Some of these may not be surprising. At least one might be.
By Steven Freeman
You brush three times a day. You floss each night.
But then, admit it, you down a soda or you snack on a candy bar, undoing all that hard work and exposing your teeth to long-lasting harm.
Because when it comes to oral health, the No. 1 thing you can do to keep your teeth and gums strong is to watch what you eat.
It’s more important than brushing. It’s more important than fluoride. It’s even more important than visiting the dentist.
The reason: Almost all the problems that occur in the mouth are the result of bacteria. Bacteria causes cavities as well as gum disease, and the main food source for bacteria also happens to be prevalent in just about everything we consume, from bread to sauces and energy drinks.
That would be sugar.
It’s difficult to avoid sugar, but you need to stay away from it as much as possible.
Here are some diet tips to keep your teeth healthy so that your smile stays healthy and bright. Some of these may not be surprising. At least one might be.
Vegetables
The hard, leafy greens and broccoli may be difficult to chew, but they are jam packed with vitamins and minerals that can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. As a bonus, they also help clean your teeth while you are chewing them.
Citrus
Vitamin C helps support the gums and ligaments around your teeth. This is why the British navy in the 19th century had lime and lemon trees on their ships — because the sailors’ teeth kept falling out without a constant source of vitamin C.
Sugar-free gum
No need to do a double take on this one. Sugar-free gum, while not exactly a nutritious alternative to kale and oranges, does have its advantages. The gum stimulates saliva, and saliva has anti-cavity properties. Gum also helps remove plaque from your teeth.
Of course, you still want to go to the dentist for regular checkups. This can help spot cavities when they are smaller and catch gum disease at its earliest stages.
Dr. Steven Freeman has authored multiple bestselling books, including “Why Your Teeth Might Be Killing You.” He is the owner of Elite Smiles, a dental office in St. Augustine, Florida.
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