While brushing twice a day, flossing daily and seeing your dentist are essential to maintaining a healthy smile, it’s important to remember that our dietary choices also impact our teeth and gums. Nutritious, home-cooked meals have been linked to a lower risk of tooth decay and gum disease because you can better control the ingredients.
Meals cooked at home tend to have less salt and cavity-causing sugars. Fast food and beverages can contain high amounts of sugar, creating an environment for bacteria to grow in our mouths and produce acids that erode tooth enamel, increasing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Stocking your kitchen with fresh vegetables and leafy greens such as watercress and spinach (rich in calcium) can help to maintain strong teeth. They also contain folic acid, which is linked to gum health. Crunchy vegetables such as broccoli, carrots and bell peppers require more chewing, stimulating saliva production and neutralizing acids in the mouth. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamins A and C, which are essential to tooth enamel formation and help to prevent gingivitis from forming.
Maintaining a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables is crucial to good oral and overall health, helping you to live well and smile more.
HAWAII DENTAL SERVICE (Nonprofit)
Kahala Howser, Wellness & Events Manager
khowser@hawaiidentalservice.com
HawaiiDentalService.com
