With the new year around the corner, many of us make resolutions to better ourselves or improve our routines. A popular solution lies in our diets. Rather than look at your diet as a way to lose weight, you can make changes to your eating habits to improve your overall health as well as your oral health.
Your snacking habits say a lot about your oral health. For example, people who regularly snack on candies or sweets have a much higher rate of developing cavities. This is because the bacteria that reside in your mouth consume the sugar. As the bacteria eat the sugar, it creates an acid. Unfortunately, this acid will begin to destroy your enamel. Once your enamel receives damage, you cannot easily repair it.
Therefore, it is extremely important to watch what goes into your mouth. Changing your snacks can help boost your oral health.
Fresh Fruits
For those who have a sweet tooth, you can use fresh fruits to satisfy your cravings. While fruits contain sugar, the sugar in fruits is natural and much healthier than processed sugar in candy. Additionally, many fruits contain Vitamin C, which improves your immune system. Vitamin C helps fight gum disease.
Dairy Products
You can add cheese and yogurt to your snack routine. Dairy products are loaded with calcium, which is a similar component to your enamel. This means that adding more dairy or calcium into your diet can help strengthen your enamel.
Vegetables
Many vegetables are high in fiber, which is good for your teeth. Additionally, some veggies, such as celery and carrots, help remove dental plaque. As you eat, the veggies brush off plaque buildup. While eating celery is not a good substitute for brushing your teeth, it can help improve your oral health.
In addition, many vegetables have high water contents, which helps keep you hydrated and your mouth moist. Veggies also help boost your production of saliva, which helps neutralize harmful bacteria. A moist mouth is one indicator of good oral health.
Avoid Sugar
One of the best ways to improve your snacking habits is to avoid processed sugars. Because bacteria love sugar, eating more sugar can damage your enamel. Avoiding sugar or switching to alternatives can improve your oral health.
Avoid Acids
There are other foods or beverages that you may want to consider avoiding in the new year. Any foods or drinks that contain high amounts of acid can strip the enamel from your teeth, leaving you vulnerable to many dental issues.
For example, your morning coffee may be damaging your smile. Coffee contains tannins, which are compounds that give coffee its bite. Unfortunately, tannins make it easier for stains to stick to your teeth. Additionally, the acid in coffee can slowly erode the enamel on your teeth. It may be beneficial to swap your morning coffee with an alternative. If not, you may try drinking coffee with a straw to avoid contact with your teeth.