How Does What I Eat Affect My Dental Health?

You have often heard that the foods you eat can greatly affect your overall physical health, but did you know that they also have a great effect on your dental health? When we all love to enjoy indulge  sweet, sugary treats from time to time, too many of them can adversely effect on our teeth. If you consume a lot of sweets, it’s especially important that you visit your general dentist in Thornhill, North York for regular dental checkups.

Eating for a Healthy Mouth

While it’s okay to indulge in a sweet treat every now and then, our diet should consist of a variety of food from each of the major food groups. Each daily meal should include foods such as:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins
• Low fat or fat-free dairy foods

Drinking plenty of water and limiting the number of snacks you eat also helps to keep your mouth healthy. Eating meals is a better choice than consuming snacks because more saliva is made over the course of a meal. Saliva plays an important role in good dental health because it washes away food particles and acids that attack your teeth. When you do snack, choose something fibrous or crunchy like apples or celery. These foods help to clean away stuck on food particles that cause cavity causing acids to develop on your teeth.

When you indulge in a sugary beverage, try drinking through a straw to reduce exposure to the teeth and follow up sweet snacks with a healthier option like a fruit or vegetable. In addition to watching your diet, maintaining a good dental routine is also key to maintaining a healthy smile. You should always brush twice a day and floss daily in addition to visiting your dentist for regular routine checkups and cleanings. If it has been a while since your last dental exam and cleaning, contact World Dental Clinic to schedule an appointment with a Thornhill dentist today.