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Healthier smile in Farnham and Fleet

Eat your way to a healthier smile in Farnham and Fleet

What you eat on a daily basis has a huge impact on your oral health. So, how can you look at nutrition and make changes to support a healthier and happier smile?

Cut down on sugar

It should come down as no surprise that sugar is bad for your oral health. When the bacteria in the mouth breakdown the sugar in foods, this produces acid that attacks your teeth. Sugary foods are the main culprits for tooth decay.

To help improve your oral health why not keep track of much and how frequently you consume sugar in a day? The NHS recommends that adults consume no more than 30g of free sugars a day. That’s the equivalent of 7 cubes/ teaspoons of sugar a day.

Sugar is in more foods and drink than you think. We all know sugar is in sweets and chocolates, but did you know that some pasta sauce and fruit smoothies are packed with sugar? Look at the labels of what you eat and drink and make a note of the sugar content. This way you can adjust your diet and explore alternatives if necessary.

Be careful with acidic food

Acidic food and drink such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and fizzy drinks / alcohol are detrimental to your oral health. The acid in these items can weaken the enamel in your teeth (the hard protective coating). This, in turn, makes your teeth weaker, discoloured and more vulnerable to decay.

Much like sugar, acidic foods aren’t always what you expect. For instance, many fruits are highly acidic. This means that although they are nutritionally beneficial, they can damage your teeth in the long term. One way to prevent damage from acidic foods and drinks is to consume only at meal times. WHen you snack on these foods between meals, they can be more damaging as your teeth are under constant attack. You can explore alternatives and cut out he worst offenders. Try swapping fizzy drinks for water for example.

Don’t sleep on dairy

Diary produce such as milk, cheese and yoghurt are all beneficial to your oral health. These contain calcium and phosphorus- two essential minerals for tooth health and maintenance. Cheese has been also known to reduce acidity after a more acidic snack.

These items are also thought to help protect teeth against acid attacks. This is because once consumed to coats the teeth any a protective layer called casein. Casein forms a barrier against acid attacks, protecting your enamel.

Incorporate meat/meat alternatives and seafood into your diet

Meat, or plant-based alternatives to meat such as tofu and seafood contain vitamin D. Tofu also contains high levels of calcium and magnesium- both of which are essential for your oral health. Additionally, seafood contains fluoride, which is a mineral often found in toothpaste as it helps protect against tooth decay.

Don’t skip your veggies!

Vegetables are naturally packed full of nutrients and minerals , many of which support your oral health. Green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach and cabbage are particularly beneficial, as they contain calcium, phosphorous and a range of vitamins.

You should try to eat colourful vegetables like carrots, peppers and sweet potatoes. These foods are also rich in vitamins that can help support good oral health.

Ultimately, what you eat is important. By consuming a balanced diet and cutting down on sugary and acidic foods, you can ensure that what you eat is supporting your smile.

If you  are looking for a healthier smile in Farnham and And Fleet, call us at Time Dental on 01252 723 008