New Year, New You
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Photo by Jannis Brandt on Unsplash
With the holiday feasting behind us, it’s a great time reset your eating habits. When thinking about making a lifestyle change related to eating and your diet, we encourage you to consider the impact it might have on your oral health.
The American Dental Association recommends eating a variety of foods from the five major food groups to maintain healthy teeth and gums. When it comes to keeping your teeth healthy and strong, there are four key nutrients you should be aware of: calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins C and D.
We’ve heard it time and time again that calcium is necessary in building strong bones. It’s also important to reinforce and strengthen the placement of teeth in the jaw. Now, contrary to popular belief, teeth are not bones. There are actually some big differences between the two. It’s the enamel that makes teeth strong, but that’s ultimately a blog for another day. Calcium and phosphorus work together to form a hard structure that keeps teeth from moving around in the jaw. Incorporate calcium-rich foods like dairy products, brown rice, cabbage, beans and broccoli. And make sure you’re also eating phosphorus-rich foods such as eggs and poultry to keep those chompers in place!
Vitamin D works to promote the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. It, along with the help of its friend vitamin C, helps to maintain gum health too. Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants that fight against periodontal disease and gingivitis by neutralizing tissue-damaging bacteria in the mouth. Citrus fruits (obviously), tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and spinach are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin D on the other hand can be found in eggs and oily fish. You can also receive vitamin D from sunlight!
As you’re filling your cart with healthy foods this new year, eat for your oral health and make sure you’re getting your daily dose of calcium, phosphorus and vitamins C and D!
And even after the healthiest foods, remember to brush twice a day, floss daily and visit your dentist regularly.