You are what you eat! At least, that’s how the saying goes. The truth is that what you eat does have a tremendous impact on overall physical health and oral health. The right choices can strengthen your teeth and protect your gums, while the wrong ones can lead to tooth decay and other oral health problems. We’re sharing a few tips to make it easier to have a healthy smile.

Enjoy foods rich in calcium to strengthen your enamel.

Your enamel is the hard outer shell that surrounds your tooth meant to protect your tooth from damage or bacteria. Calcium is an important nutrient to have in your diet because that can strengthen the enamel. Your first thought may be to add more dairy to your diet; however, if you’re lactose intolerant or cutting back on dairy, you can find other foods to add calcium to your diet. Calcium-enriched orange juice, dark leafy greens, and edamame beans are a few examples.

Eat plenty of crunchy fruits and vegetables.

There are many reasons that vegetables and fruits are beneficial to your smile. The crunch of apples, celery, and carrots, for example, can actually help clean the surfaces of your teeth. Vegetables like cucumbers and watermelons can encourage saliva production which helps wash away bacteria. 

Drink water throughout the day.

When it comes to fluids, water is your best choice. While it may not be as enjoyable as other beverages like coffee, tea, soda, iced tea, or fruit juice, it does a wonderful job of keeping your smile healthy. It washes away bacteria and food particles that can often stick to your teeth and lead to cavities. Sip regularly throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated. If you have a hard time drinking water, add citrus fruits or berries to your bottle for flavor. 

Add lean proteins.

Protein is an important part of a healthy diet. It helps with building and repairing damaged tissues. It also helps strengthen the bones in your teeth and jaw, which gives you that great biting power. So add lean proteins like Greek yogurt, beans, eggs, chicken, or turkey to have your share of healthy proteins. 

Cut down on snacking.

While the occasional snack is fine, constant snacking during the day can actually be harmful to your teeth. If you have snacks that are sugary or starchy, this can cause bacteria to build up in your mouth and lead to tooth decay. So, it’s especially important to take breaks between snacks by drinking water to wash the food particles away.

Need more help with your nutritional decisions? Call Drs. Yung & Jelinek today at 540-253-1377 to schedule an appointment in Warrenton, VA. We’d love to offer you nutritional counseling so you can enjoy a healthy smile!