Have you made your resolutions for 2015? No doubt, one includes working towards a healthier lifestyle. It's only human to indulge in those things that are not necessarily the best for us. And it's only human to want to return to a healthier lifestyle. Truth be told, we all feel better when we have a healthier lifestyle.
Here are my 5 nutritional tips for a healthy body and healthy mouth.
Have you made your resolutions for 2015? No doubt, one includes working towards a healthier lifestyle. It's only human to indulge in those things that are not necessarily the best for us. And it's only human to want to return to a healthier lifestyle. Truth be told, we all feel better when we have a healthier lifestyle.
But I bet you didn't consider that when you were taking care of your body, that includes your oral health as well. Whether you have all your natural teeth, wear dentures or have dental implants, you can keep your mouth healthy and in top condition with good nutritional habits.
Many of our delicious foods are not only good for us, they are good for oral health.
The following 5 nutritionally smart choices will help give you a health mouth.
Limit your intake of sugary drinks: I'm confident you already know that, but it bears repeating. The sugars in pops, fizzy drinks and in many juices cause what I call oral health havoc. They don't do your gums any favour. Instead they can cause bacterial build-up which can lead to gingivitis and other gum diseases. And that goes for denture wearers or anyone who has dental implants.
Make sure you're getting enough calcium: Calcium encourages good bone health (even if you've stopped growing). Even with dentures and dental implants you still need good strong jaw bones to keep your mouth strong. Good sources of calcium include fortified milk, plain yogurt, salmon, green leafy vegetables. Sometimes a supplement is a good idea.
Vitamin D goes hand-in-hand with calcium: Making sure you get the right amount of Vitamin D is really important to make sure that the calcium is doing it's job properly. People in cold climates (like Sudbury) may even consider taking a vitamin supplement along with ensuring their diet includes fortified milk, oily fish, eggs and beef liver.
Antioxidants: There are lots of foods that contain additional chemicals such as Vitamin C that help fight cell damage that can occur in the mouth. Antioxidants help counter bacterial infections that could flare up, particularly for denture wearers that are prone to sore spots.
More Fibre: Not just for your digestive system but for your mouth as well. Foods higher in fibre usually require more chewing than foods lower in fibre - think celery for instance. The chewing action produces saliva, which keeps the mouth clean. In addition, the fibre acts like a tooth brush for your teeth and gums, and is a good way to keep them keep in between brushings.
Healthy Body = Healthy Mouth. And having a healthy mouth with a great smile boosts your confidence.
What a great start to the new year.
Comments