March is National Nutrition Month! As you take a moment to reflect on eating better, why not start snacking your way towards a better smile? It’s common knowledge that eating too much sugar will give you cavities. However, swapping those sugary snacks with certain smile-friendly ones can lower your risk of tooth decay, fight off gum disease, and boost your oral health! This month, try adding more of these nutritional foods into your daily diet and set yourself up for years of happy, healthy smiles!
Raw Carrots, Cucumbers, and Celery
Not only are raw vegetables brimming with a garden variety of important vitamins, but they can help reduce your risk of tooth decay as well! Crunchy vegetables that are high in fiber gently scrub plaque and other particles off your teeth as you chew them, preventing cavity formation. Options that require extra chewing or have a high water content also encourage saliva production. Saliva acts as your body’s natural defense against tooth decay, constantly rinsing away any lingering bacteria from your teeth. A few great examples of high-fiber vegetables include spinach, celery, carrots, and cucumbers.
Chicken, Fish, Nuts, Cheese, and Milk
Your enamel may be the strongest substance in your body, but it’s not invincible. Since it can’t repair itself as it wears down, it absorbs the calcium and phosphorus in the foods you eat to rebuild itself. Not only does calcium help strengthen your teeth, but it also fortifies your jawbone. This can help protect it from the advanced stages of gum disease and keep your teeth firmly in place. It’s an excellent idea to eat calcium-rich foods with items that contain phosphorus, since this important nutrient combines with calcium to maximize its effectiveness. To keep your teeth and jaw strong, try eating more low-fat dairy products, canned salmon, almonds, lean meats, and dark, leafy greens.
Oranges, Bell Peppers, and Broccoli
A buildup of plaque and tartar in your mouth can lead to a bacterial infection in your gums known as periodontal disease. This common oral health condition is also known as gum disease, and it’s the leading cause of tooth loss in the US! Healthy gums and good oral hygiene are needed to fight off the bacteria and prevent the infection from forming in the first place. Eating more vitamin C can support your gums and bolster their defense against disease. While this important nutrient is most known for its appearance in citrus fruits like oranges, pineapples, and lemons, it can also be found in less acidic items like bell peppers, broccoli, cantaloupe, kale, and sweet potatoes.
National Nutrition Month is a great time to start snacking your way towards a better smile! Adding these healthy foods into your diet is a natural and delicious way to improve your oral health.
About the Practice
At Jacksonville Complete Dentistry, we firmly believe we can enhance your quality of life by helping you enjoy better oral health. Dr. Wayne Barker and Dr. Rose Johnson are dedicated to helping you achieve the happy, healthy smile you deserve, which is why they offer a range of services to tackle every oral health issue. Whether you need an advanced treatment like TMJ therapy or dental implant placement, or just a simple cleaning, they have the training, experience, and technology to get your oral health back on track. To learn more practical tips for taking care of your smile at home, feel free to contact them via their website or at (904) 645-6457.