Have you ever heard the expression, “you are what you eat?” While this popular saying is not literally true, it does make a good point: what you eat has a major affect on your overall health. This is especially true when it comes to your dental health. So, if you want avoid costly and painful dental problems in the future, develop health eating habits in the present.
There are ten foods that are particularly good for your dental health including the following:
- Kiwi
- Green Tea
- Celery
- Cheese
- Raisins
- Onions
- Sweet Potatoes
- Shiitake Mushrooms
- Sesame Seeds
- Water
Each of the foods listed above contains certain vitamins, minerals or cleansing properties that makes it beneficial to your dental health. There are also some foods that you should avoid altogether or limit your consumption of if you want to protect the long-term health of your teeth and gums. These include the following:
- Foods or beverages containing artificial preservatives
- Foods or beverages containing artificial sweeteners
- Foods or beverages containing high fructose corn syrup
- Foods or beverages containing refined sugar
- Foods or beverages containing refined flour
- Foods containing partially hydrogenated oils
All the foods listed above contribute to a more acidic state in the body. This acidic state in the body increases bacteria and creates inflammation. The bacteria and inflammation can, in turn, cause periodontal disease and tooth decay. Periodontal disease is a chronic infection of the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth. If not treated properly, it can lead to serious dental health problems including tooth loss. In fact, periodontal disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in America today. Tooth decay (dental caries) is also a common problem in the United States today, especially among children.
In addition to eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, oral hygiene is also an important factor when it comes to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. This includes brushing thoroughly, at least two times per day and flossing thoroughly at least one time each day. If you would like to get more information about how to improve your dental health through proper nutrition, talk to your dentist or a licensed nutritionist today.
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