SANTA CRUZ, SCOTTS VALLEY CA
Maintaining good oral health starts by practicing daily dental hygiene like brushing twice a day for two minutes, flossing daily, and seeing the dentist for checkups and cleanings twice a year. But sometimes, you can do these things and still end up with cavities or develop gum disease. What gives? The problem could be your diet. Consuming starchy packaged foods, drinking sodas or sugary beverages, and eating sugar throughout the day could result in an uphill battle when it comes to maintaining your teeth and gums. So, if you’re frustrated that you don’t receive a good bill of health at your dental checkups, check out our food and beverage recommendations to help you achieve fewer cavities, improved breath, and a lower risk of dental diseases. Today on our newest blog, our family dentists in Scotts Valley at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry share the best foods that promote good oral health.
Drink plenty of water
Water is highly recommended for many reasons. It helps hydrate the body, flush out toxins, keeps your skin supple and youthful, is good for digestion, and is ideal for your dental health. Sipping water throughout the day rinses away food particles, and oral bacteria, and improves your breath. You’ll experience fewer cavities than you would if you sipped sugary drinks like sodas or sweetened tea throughout the day. If you don’t prefer the taste of plain water, consider adding a sugar-free flavor additive. Just be sure it doesn’t contain any food dyes or coloring that could cause tooth enamel staining.
Drink tea instead of coffee
Giving up coffee may sound like a funny joke, but you could reap a lot of health benefits, and you can still get your caffeine from black or green tea. Make the switch to tea and enjoy fewer incidences of heartburn or acid reflux, caffeine jitters, and better oral health. You’ll just have to skip adding sugar! Instead, drink your tea plain or add a sugar-free alternative to make it more palatable. Drinking tea also improves your breath, unlike coffee, which tends to lead to foul-smelling breath.
Eat crunchy fruits and veggies
Crunchy fruits and veggies are great for your overall health, but also your teeth and gums. Snacking on carrots, celery, or apples helps “cleanse” your teeth between meals, although you’ll still need to brush and floss daily. You can pair fruit or veggies with healthy fats like nuts or full-fat dairy to help satiate your hunger.
Eat more dairy
Unless you are lactose intolerant, eat more dairy to improve your oral health. Even though cheese and yogurt have an off-putting odor, these food choices actually improve your breath and provide a boost of calcium, which is beneficial to your jaw bones that hold your teeth in their sockets.
Family Dentists in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley, California
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy shouldn’t be an uphill battle. Follow our recommended daily oral hygiene routine and strive to eat a healthy diet by incorporating the foods we mentioned above, and you should start receiving a good report at your checkups. If you’re still struggling to maintain your oral health, talk to the dentist about your concern and receive a customized treatment plan. To learn more or schedule a consultation, please call Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry at (831) 438-4411.
