With the impossible number of diet tips flooding our daily lives (whether on the Internet, in magazines, or from coworkers), it’s hard to know what’s really right for you. While that answer is personal, there are probably a few ways you could tweak your eating to better serve your teeth. The foods and drinks you choose both directly and indirectly affect your smile – for better and for worse. Check out these tips from our San Leandro dentist to make sure you’re on the right snacking path.
Residents of San Leandro are just a brief drive from our nearby dental practice. If you’re looking for a dentist who will engage in honest communication about your health, and provide resources to improve your dental experience, we’d love to meet you. Just get in touch.
Dental Diet Tips: Eating Right
There are two dental considerations to make when examining your diet. While some foods and drinks are good for health, they may be bad for your smile’s appearance (and vice versa). Try a few recommendations that fall under each category for the best results.
For Your Oral Health
- Nuts
- Dairy (unsweetened!)
- Raw vegetables
…these choices contain nutrients that bolster your oral and systemic health, and strengthen tooth enamel. It’s key that you choose these snacks over sugary ones, because snacking puts the teeth at a heightened risk level (since you’re not consuming a full meal, there’s less saliva to wash away acids and bacteria).
For Your Smile’s Appearance
- Make water your #1 drink – Most of the staining beverages that affect enamel are pretty popular – cola, coffee, red wine, and black tea among them. But water is better for your body, and better for your smile. It also washes away food particles and bacteria, fighting for your overall health.
- Avoid citrus – Citrus juice and fruit creates an acidic environment in your mouth, which wears away your enamel. This allows your inner dentin to show through, which yellows your smile.
