National Nutrition Month: Nutritional Tips for a Healthy Mouth

03 Mar National Nutrition Month: Nutritional Tips for a Healthy Mouth

We all know that flossing and brushing daily with fluoride toothpaste is essential for a healthy smile. However, while practicing good oral hygiene is necessary for a healthy mouth, properly fueling your body with the nutrients it needs not only affects your overall heath, but it also has an effect on your dental health as well. In order to have strong, healthy teeth you need to make sure you evaluate your diet and lifestyle in order to see where you can make improvements.

In light of National Nutrition Month, read on for some helpful nutritional dental health tips that will help keep your mouth healthy.

Eat a Well-Balanced Diet

Eating a well-balanced diet will provide you with the essential nutrients needed for optimum health, for both your body and your mouth. So be sure to eat nutrient dense food from all of the food groups; fruits, vegetables, dairy products, lean protein, as well as whole grains. Check out these foods for optimum oral health:

• Vitamin C can help promote healthy gums. You can find vitamin C in spinach, peas, tomatoes, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, berries, mango, papayas, citrus fruits, kiwifruit, pineapple, bell peppers, chili peppers, as well as in potatoes.
• Calcium-rich foods can help promote strong bones and teeth. You can find calcium in almonds, tofu, salmon, milk, cheese, yogurt, kefir, okra, green snap beans, broccoli, as well as in dark green leafy vegetables such as bok choy, kale, collards and watercress.
• Phosphorus plays a vital role in the maintenance of teeth and bones, and when joined with calcium they strengthen your bones and teeth. You can find phosphorus in dairy, lean meat, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, eggs, pumpkin seeds, navy beans, lentils, as well as in fish.

Snack Smart

Resist the urge to snack frequently, since the more often you eat, the likelihood of acid attacks on your teeth increases. But if you do snack, snack wisely and leave out those hard and sticky treats, and instead stick to the nutritious treats.

Brush or Rinse after Each Snack or Meal

In order to keep cavities at bay, remember to brush your teeth after eating. If you don’t have a toothbrush with you, make sure to rinse your mouth out with water after you eat in order to help rinse away food particles.