You might think that all you need to do to maintain healthy teeth is to practice good hygiene, like brushing and flossing. That is not all that’s required. Another important piece of the puzzle for oral health is to eat a good, balanced diet. Here are some nutrition tips that will help your teeth too.
• Consider the makeup of the foods you eat. Try to get a good supply of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
• Limit snacks between meals to lower your mouth’s exposure to acid, which attacks the enamel on your teeth. Your teeth will weaken and begin to erode with increased contact with acid in your mouth.
• Avoid sodas, fruit-flavored drinks, and other sugary beverages. If you do have one, drink it in one sitting over a short period of time, instead of sipping over several hours. This will expose your teeth to acid for a shorter time period.
• Choose fluoridated water, which helps rinse your teeth and protect against decay.
• Avoid sucking on sugary items like hard candy, lollipops, mints, and cough drops. Opt for a sugarless variety if you choose these items.
• Don’t pacify infants with a bottle of milk, juice or formula. Lengthy exposure of your child’s teeth and gums to these carbohydrate-filled drinks increases risks of tooth decay. If your child’s needs a bottle to sleep, fill it with plain water instead.
• Try to quit using tobacco of any kind, which leads to tooth decay and other oral health problems.
• Brush your teeth after eating when possible to remove bacteria and food debris, and floss daily to remove plaque.
• Maintain regular checkups at your dentist.
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