When many people think of ways to improve their smile, they usually consider brushing more or teeth whitening. What they are eating hardly ever crosses their minds. However, your diet plays a pivotal role in the health of your teeth as well.
If you want to have the best smile possible, it may be time to take a look at what you are eating. See if you can make any improvements. Even making a few small changes can significantly reduce your risk of developing cavities and improve the look of your smile.
For more information about how to structure your diet to promote dental health, reach out to us at Hampton’s Dental. We will be more than happy to provide you with more advice or information about how your diet affects your teeth. But in the meantime, here are a few tips to get started:
1. Limit Coffee and Soda
These two substances can significantly stain your teeth if you consume too much of them. However, if you can’t kick your caffeine cravings, try to drink your beverage through a straw so that the liquid has less contact with your teeth. Additionally, adding milk or cream to your coffee can limit it’s staining effect compared to when consumed straight. Drinking lighter colored sodas like Sprite or 7Up instead of Coke or Pepsi can also reduce the likelihood of staining. Otherwise, you can brush your teeth or drink a glass of water right after drinking these beverages so that you can mitigate the damage.
2. Control Sugar Intake
Drinking and eating things that contain too much sugar can cause cavities and erosion in your teeth. While some of us have an insatiable sweet tooth, making small changes in our sugar intake can have a huge impact on the health of our smiles. Instead of drinking soda or juice, try making the switch to unsweetened iced tea or milk. Limiting the number of desserts we eat each week can also help in this endeavor.
3. Contain Your Snacking
When you eat a meal, your mouth releases much more saliva than when you just eat a snack. Saliva helps to clear your mouth of food particles that may become stuck after eating. As a result, it is best to curb your snacking habits and stick to only eating during meals instead. This way, food particles will be less likely to remain in your mouth for long periods, wreaking havoc on the health of your teeth.
4. Consume Sufficient Calcium-Rich Foods
Calcium is one of the main ingredients in the enamel of your teeth. Without enough calcium, your teeth can become brittle and subject to cavities or decay. To combat this, make sure that you always get enough calcium from milk, cheese, and yogurt. Don’t worry if you try to stay away from dairy. Almonds, beans, and leafy greens also contain considerable amounts of this vital nutrient.
5. Don’t Forget About Vitamin A and Vitamin C
While calcium is paramount in dental health, vitamin A and vitamin C are also crucially important. Vitamin A is prevalently found in carrots, spinach, and broccoli, among other vegetables. You can find vitamin C most famously in orange juice, but you’ll also come across it in kale, kiwis, and strawberries. Ensuring that you get enough of these important nutrients will allow your teeth to be healthy, strong, and able to stand up to anything life throws at them.
While brushing and flossing are integral aspects of your dental health, it is imperative to keep in mind that your diet also plays a major role. Keeping the above suggestions in mind will help to ensure that you keep your beautiful smile intact for years to come.
