Friday 17 August 2018

Some Obvious And Not-So-Obvious Diet Tips To Keep Your Teeth Healthy

 You brush three times a day. You floss each night.



But then, admit it, you down a soda or you snack on a candy bar, undoing all that hard work and exposing your teeth to long-lasting harm.


Because when it comes to oral health, the No. 1 thing you can do to keep your teeth and gums strong is to watch what you eat.

 

“It’s more important than brushing; it’s more important than fluoride,” says Dr. Steven Freeman, a dentist and author of the book Why Your Teeth Might Be Killing You(www.elitesmilesdentistry.com). “It’s even more important than visiting the dentist.”

 

The reason: Almost all the problems that occur in the mouth are the result of bacteria, Freeman says. Bacteria causes cavities as well as gum disease, and the main food source for bacteria also happens to be prevalent  in just about everything we consume, from bread, to sauces to energy drinks.

 

That would be sugar.

 

“It’s difficult to avoid sugar, but you need to stay away from it as much as possible,” Freeman says.

 

Here’s what he does recommend your diet include so that your smile stays healthy and bright. Some of these may not be surprising. At least one might be:

  • Vegetables. The hard, leafy greens and broccoli may be difficult to chew, but they are jam packed with vitamins and minerals that can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. “As a bonus, they also help clean your teeth while you are chewing them,” Freeman says.  
  • Salmon and dairy products. Salmon is useful for oral health because it contains vitamin D, which improves calcium absorption. “I know some people are against dairy in their diet, but the calcium in dairy products is essential to maintain strong teeth and bones that support the teeth,” Freeman says.
  • Citrus. Vitamin C helps support the gums and ligaments around your teeth. “This is why the British navy in the 19th century had lime and lemon trees on their ships, because the sailors’ teeth kept falling out without a constant source of vitamin C.
  • Sugar-free gum. No need to do a double take on this one. Freeman says that sugar-free gum, while not exactly a nutritious alternative to kale and oranges, does have its advantages. The gum stimulates saliva and saliva has anti-cavity properties. Gum also helps remove plaque from your teeth.

 

“Of course you still want to go to the dentist for regular checkups,” Freeman sayd. “This can help spot cavities when they are smaller and catch gum disease at its earliest stages.”

 

About Dr. Steven Freeman

 

Dr. Steven Freeman (www.DrStevenFreeman.com) has authored multiple bestselling books, including Why Your Teeth Might Be Killing You.  He is the owner of Elite Smiles, a dental office in St. Augustine Florida that provides all phases of dentistry, including kids, braces, implants and general dentistry. Dr. Freeman is a coach and teacher to dentists worldwide. He is the founder and president of Warrior Smiles which is a not-for-profit charity that provides dental implants to veterans for free. He has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox TV and has been quoted regarding his dental expertise in several national magazines.

2 comments:

  1. Such an informative information you shared,
    Having a healthy set of teeth is not only important for chewing the food properly but also helps in boosting your confidence and enabling you to laugh without feeling restricted.The first thing you need to do for healthy teeth is to choose a good brush and toothpaste. To make your teeth health and strong with the help of cosmetic dentistry services.

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  2. 1. Eat "detergent" foods

    According to Dr. Tyson, a Huntsville dentist
    , Foods that are firm or crunchy help clean the teeth while chewing. We already mentioned apples (some dentists call them toothbrushes of nature); Other good choices are raw carrots, celery and popcorn. To get the best results, try to leave the food "detergent" at the end of the meal if you can not brush your teeth immediately after eating.



    2. Gargle with Apple Cider Vinegar

    Do it in the morning, and then brush as usual. Vinegar helps remove stains, whitens teeth and removes bacteria from the tongue and gums.

    3. Brush your teeth with Sodium Bicarbonate once a week

    This will eliminate stains and whiten your teeth. Use the bicarbonate as if it were toothpaste. Another option is to use salt as toothpaste. But be careful to spit and rinse well so you do not increase your sodium intake! If you start to have gum irritation, brush your teeth with salt every third day.

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