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When it comes to staying healthy, most people know that keeping a well balanced diet is an important factor. However, few people realize how important your diet is when it comes to keeping a bright smile. While certain foods and drinks can stain your smile and create cavities, others are highly effective at preventing plaque build up and keeping your teeth bright and healthy.
Check out these Smile-Friendly Diet Tips and Swaps:
Swap out Sugary Snacks for Hard and Crunchy Produce.
While sugary snacks and candies may satisfy your sweet tooth, these delicious treats can do serious damage to your smile. Sugar can quickly increase bacteria growth, which attack the enamel of teeth and open the door for cavities. Rather than reaching for those sugary treats, go for an apple or carrot. These crunchy snacks not only provide you a healthy boost, but their crunchy nature helps scrub off debris and plaque before it can harden into tartar.
Drinking Wine, Soda, or Coffee? Follow-Up with Water.
Dark beverages and foods can stain your smile, making it dull and yellow. To help keep your smile bright and healthy, use a straw and follow up your meal with a glass of water.
Swap Carbs for Leafy Greens and Dairy.
Refined carbohydrates like crackers and bread turn to sugar when eaten, opening the door for cavities to damage your smile. Try limiting your carb intake in favor of dairy and leafy greens. These foods are high in calcium and other minerals that are essential in reducing the risk of cavities and promoting healthy smiles. High protein meals also help.
Stay Hydrated my Friends.
Your diet isn’t the only thing that keeps your smile healthy. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day not only keeps you well hydrated, but also help wash away bacteria and debris from teeth. This helps prevent plaque from forming on your teeth, a key factor that contributes to the development of gingivitis and cavities.
Daily hygiene and regular dental visits are important to keeping your smile as healthy as possible. To learn more about how your diet can improve your smile, call our Belle Fourche dentists today!