Top Five Superfoods to Improve Your Health and Your Smile
Patients who have seen a dentist all their life know how destructive sugar can be to good oral health, but Dr. Wade’snutritional advice doesn’t stop at “Avoid sugar.” In fact, there are many foods that are not just good for your health in general but for your smile in particular. Adding these foods, and others like them, to your diet will help you support your oral health in between visits and will improve your overall sense of wellbeing.
Cheese/Dairy
Dairy products, which are high in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D, can help your smile in a variety of ways. Not only do they support re-mineralization of teeth, they also promote a neutral pH in the mouth, preventing the harmful effects of acid. Plus, the simple act of drinking milk helps clear the mouth of bacteria and debris.
Green Tea
Why is a daily dose of green tea beneficial? Because it’s a good source of catechin, an antioxidant that kills the bacteria responsible for disease and decay. What’s more, catechin inhibits the kinds of bacteria responsible for bad breath. All of this is on top of the overall health benefits of green tea, including its ability to improve heart health, fight obesity, and lower cholesterol.
Fruits Rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is famous for boosting the immune system, but it’s also good for your gum tissue. Specifically, it prevents the collagen in your gums from breaking down, which can lead to an increased risk of gum disease. Among all of the fruits rich in vitamin C, kiwis have the most, but every little bit helps.
Celery
We know celery isn’t the most exciting food out there, but it’s good for your smile. Chewing celery helps produce saliva, which has a neutralizing effect on acid and bacteria. What’s more, those abrasive particles will help you clean your teeth. If you’re not a fan of celery, try dressing it up with some peanut butter, pimento cheese or anything else you like.
Water
Hardly anyone thinks of water as a food, but it is essentials. Water helps you keep your teeth clean, and it prevents dry mouth. When the mouth becomes too dry, bacteria can grow, putting patients at a higher risk of bad breath, gum disease, and cavities.
Of course, these aren’t the only foods that can help your smile, but they’re some of the biggest. If you have any questions about nutrition, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Wade of Stonebriar Smile Design. We serve patients from Frisco, Prosper, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Dallas, and The Colony. Call us today for your appointment.
