What to eat to keep your teeth
Nutrients don’t only help build strong muscles and bones, but they also help maintain strong teeth. Nutrition plays a key role in the development and maintenance of a healthy mouth, especially the teeth and gums. The food we eat directly affects our oral health. Imagine not being able to eat popcorn when you go to the movies, or eat the sweet grilled corn-on-the-cob on the Fourth of July.
A recent article by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics talked about the foods and food ingredients that can actually protect our teeth from decay. No one wants to have weak, decayed teeth. So, chew on these teeth-friendly foods to keep your teeth in place:
Sugar-free chewing gum: Chewing stimulates saliva that bathes teeth with antibacterial agents that neutralize bad acids in your mouth. And the sweeteners used in sugar-free candies and mints — such as xylitol and mannitol — do not feed mouth bacteria.
Fresh fruits and vegetables: Vitamin C in these foods is used to make collagen — a vital protein for healthy gums: the better to support your teeth. And chewing these fibrous foods keep gums healthy and produces protective saliva.
Protein foods such as meat, eggs, cheese, fish, beans and legumes strengthen teeth and gums. Proteins also arm saliva with its antibacterial properties.
Whole grain, low sugar breads and cereals provide a host of nutrients that enhance our immune response to fight off pesky bacteria.
Good dental health begins early in life and must be practiced throughout your entire life. Eating these foods will help keep your teeth and enamel strong, which will keep your teeth where they need to be. To find out the quality of your teeth, and to schedule a professional teeth cleaning, please call 239-936-0597 to make an appointmentor schedule online at http://www.myfortmyersdentist.com/appointment/
