Best Foods to Feed Your Family for Oral Health
You really are what you eat - and so are your teeth. Here is a USDA-backed grocery list that supports healthier smiles for the whole household.
You've heard the old adage, "You are what you eat." There's a lot of truth to it, especially as it relates to oral health. Keeping teeth cavity-free and gums and supporting bone structure viable and strong takes more than brushing, flossing and going to the dentist for check-ups and cleanings. Your choice of food and drink can do your mouth a lot of good or a lot of damage. The look and longevity of your smile depend a lot on what you put in your mouth.
What Are the Best Foods for Oral Health?
Of course, sugary foods are a well-known no-no because of the plaque they help form on tooth surfaces and at the gum line. Plaque harbors bacteria which secrete acids that erode tooth enamel. Also, foods such as tomatoes, lemons, and other citrus fruits are loaded with acids and should be consumed as part of a meal to limit their corrosive effects.
That being said, what food should you feed your family? The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, outlines several good choices that should become part of any family's mealtime routines:
- Fruits and veggies - Particularly beneficial are crisply textured kinds such as apples, celery, and raw carrots. They provide excellent exercise for teeth, gums, connective tissues, and jawbone.
- Whole grains - They provide nourishing fuel, and unlike refined white flour, they are less likely to stick to teeth.
- Low-fat or no-fat dairy products - Skim milk, cheese, and plain yogurt provide much-needed calcium and Vitamin D to strengthen bones and teeth.
- Lean meats and fish
- Legumes and beans
- Plenty of water - Water helps flush food particles from between the teeth. The usual recommendation is eight cups a day.
- Sugarless gum - This promotes saliva production (washing food and acids off the teeth).
Other Dietary Considerations and Dental Hygiene
In general, both the waistline and teeth benefit from less snacking between meals. However, when you or your family want to snack, choose fruit, cheese, veggies, milk and water. Avoid high calorie, sticky foods such as candies and chips.
In addition to your healthy diet, be sure you and your loved ones brush with a good fluoride toothpaste two times a day and floss daily. Visit your East Ellijay, Georgia family dentist twice annually for check-ups and dental cleanings. Call East Ellijay Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for an appointment today at (706) 635-2218.
