Having a healthy teeth diet

While most people realise that excessive amounts of sweets are are not good for your teeth, these are not the only foods that can play havoc with your dental health. If you have been having some concerns about your dental health why not these diet tips to improve your teeth.

Avoid sticky foods

It's not just lollies that can stick to your teeth. Other starchy foods like crackers and crisps can also cling to the teeth after eating and create a perfect breeding ground for nasty bacteria, and a night drinking alcoholic drinks can lead to a less than pleasant fuzziness the next morning. Make sure to brush your teeth if you can still feel some clingy "fuzzy" feeling after you've had a meal or snack, the best solution is to clean your teeth. Fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean protein tend to be the best for avoiding stickiness after eating!

Stay hydrated

Keeping hydrated helps your mouth to maintain a normal level of saliva. Saliva helps to control bacteria in the mouth, which can prevent gum infections and bacteria which can lead to dental caries. Certain medications or breathing entirely through your mouth (such as when snoring), can contribute to dry mouth as well as not drinking enough fluids. The most immediate way to control saliva is to maintain a sensible level of hydration and keep sipping on water through the day. If you find that's not enough you can try chewing gum, or try one of the over the counter gums or mouthwashes available from a pharmacy that target dry mouth.

Fresh fruits and vegetables

A diet low in vitamins can lead to infections and poor healing. Vitamins A, C, D and E are all related to poor dental health. A balanced diet is the best way to get a range of vitamins is  a balanced diet with a range of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and calcium rich food such as dairy or fish with bones. A multi-vitamin can be a great way to catch up on any nutrients you might run short on, due to gaps in the diet. Foods that are high in fibre can encourage saliva flow, particularly chewing on crunchy foods like carrots or apples.

If you are worried about how your teeth may be affected by your diet, why not ask your dentist for some dietary advice when you come in for your next check-up?

For more information, contact a practice like Complete Dental Care.