We hear a lot about foods and drinks to avoid in order to maintain oral health, but what about consumables that actually improve our smiles? That’s what our Elmhurst dentists are going to be discussion today. Read through this quick article to learn more about smile-supporting snacks and drinks…
Crunchy Vegetables
Snacking on crunchy vegetables, like carrots and celery, is great for whole-body health and it’s good for your smile. Because these veggies contain a lot of water, they freshen your smile and support saliva production. Additionally, the physical act of chewing this type of vegetables manually cleans your teeth!
Dairy
Your smile needs calcium in order to stay healthy, so dairy products are great for building strong teeth and bones. Furthermore, dairy products contain re-mineralizing phosphate, and support healthy pH levels. Milk, cheese, and yogurt are all good for your smile; just make sure that you’re reaching for consumables that don’t contain too much added sugar.
Fruit
Whole fruits help your smile because they contain vitamin C; vitamin C supports collagen production and it boosts your body’s ability to fight off infections. Because fruits are quite high in sugar, it is a good idea to eat them whole, rather than relying on juices to get the nutrients you need. You should also try to eat your fruit at specific times—with meals or snacks—rather than exposing your smile to sugar continuously throughout the day.
Leafy Greens
Foods like spinach, lettuce, broccoli, and kale are loaded with folic acid, calcium, and vitamin C—all of which help your smile! And, just as chewing crunchy veggies refreshes your smile, snacking on leafy greens also clears away accumulated plaque and dental debris.
Water
The absolute best thing you can drink to support oral health is plain old H2O. Water hydrates your body, and promotes healthy saliva production in the mouth. Plus, every time you drink water you dilute acids, help dislodge dental debris, and rinse away plaque. Try carrying water with you throughout the day so that you can sip regularly.
So, what do you think? Are there dietary changes that you can make to improve the state of your smile? Please know that our Elmhurst dentists are always here to give you any additional information and support that you may need in maintaining oral health. Give us a call to schedule a consultation!