National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to help the community make informed food choices and develop healthful eating habits. Oral wellness and nutrition go hand in hand. Learn tips for intentional eating that will safeguard your smile.

Tip 1: Inventory Your Daily Nutrition

Take the time to inventory your daily nutrition.  The kind of fuel you put in a vehicle determines how it runs and if it runs well.  Your body is much the same.  If you are putting good fuel in your body, you will get good performance. Your oral health is greatly influenced by what foods you eat. And we aren’t just talking about sugar. Nutrients from good foods make your teeth stronger; make your bones stronger; your body stronger. 

Not getting the nutrients you need leads to weaker teeth enamel, and oral issues. But it also leads to total body issues like  fatigue, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, weakened bones, and heart disease.  Contact Young Family Dental today to learn how you can improve your daily nutrition and oral health at the same time.

Tip 2: Focus on Getting Your Vitamins 

92 percent of Americans are vitamin deficient. Diminishing soil quality and the uptick in quick, processed foods are at the root of the problem. Research shows that vitamin D deficiency increases dental decay. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphate. These are vital for building and keeping strong tooth enamel. But Vitamin D isn’t the only important nutrient your teeth need: 

• Calcium: for strong bones and stronger tooth enamel.
• Potassium: improves bone density. Helps teeth retain calcium.
• Phosphorus: helps with bone and teeth strength.
• Vitamin K: Blocks substances that can wear down bone. It also supports healing.
• Vitamin C: Strengthens the soft tissue in your mouth while also protecting against gingivitis.
• Vitamin A: Helps prevent dry mouth, accelerates healing, and keeps mucous membranes healthy.

Strive to get your daily vitamins to help your oral health stay as strong as it can. Call Young Family Dental for tips and suggestions or to schedule an exam.

Tip 3: Reach for These Foods First

Nutrition and teeth health habits may start small, but they can grow into rooted behaviors. Establish good nutrition and teeth health habits now! Good nutrition and your teeth health mean you need healthy food choices.  Here are some tooth-friendly foods to support your nutrition and teeth health goals:

• Dairy: Aged cheeses are best to aid in saliva production. (Saliva can help to rid your teeth of decay-causing food particles.)  Milk, and plain yogurt are also great choices.
• Fruits and Vegetables: Reach for fruits and vegetables as a snack instead of carbohydrates. Fruits and Vegetables that contain a high volume of water–such as pears, melons, celery, and cucumber–are best. Foods high in water help balance ingested sugars and help to clean the teeth.  Many fruits and vegetables also contain vitamin C (important for healthy gums and quick healing of wounds) and vitamin A (another key nutrient in building tooth enamel).  Fruits like bananas and raisins are comprised of lots concentrated sugar so make sure you brush your teeth soon after you eat these fruits. Leafy greens are great sources of calcium too.  
• Protein: Calcium-fortified tofu and almonds can promote good teeth health due to their high calcium properties and other nutrients.  Other great options for protein: meat, poultry, fish, milk and eggs. These foods are also high in phosphorus. Both calcium and phosphorus rebuild and protect your tooth enamel and are vital to your dental health.
• Water: Helps to wash decay-promoting particles from your teeth. Water is a great choice for hydration because it is sugar-free and helps in the digestion process.  

Tip 4: Watch Your Sugar Intake

The Food and Drug Administration recommends that those over the age of three restrict their daily sugar to 50 grams. Keep track of the amount of sugars you are consuming by making a habit of reading food labels.  Ingredients on food labels are listed according to amount so if sugar is high on the list, avoid it.  Bacteria in your mouth feeds off of carbohydrates so reducing sugar and simple carbohydrates help reduce cavities.

Tip 5: Call for a Healthy Teeth Consultation and Exam

Learn more about healthy teeth, nutrition, and what you can do to preserve your smile by contacting Young Family Dental today!