By Robert Hudson

GOT GOOD ORAL HEALTH? READ THIS AND YOU’LL BE SMILING!

Did you know that what you eat can play a key role in the maintenance of your teeth and gums? Reading this will equip you with the basic information you need to make the correct decisions for good oral health.

POWER FOODS LEAD TO STRONG ENAMEL & MOUTH TISSUES

The right nutrients are essential in order to boost your dental hygiene regimen. By simply ingesting enough of the power foods in this list, your mouth (and dentist) will thank you. They contain the correct RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) needed to optimize the strength of teeth and gums.

THE ESSENTIAL TRINITY – CALCIUM, VITAMIN D AND PHOSPHORUS

Calcium needs the presence of phosphorus to maximize its bone strengthening properties. Vitamin D not only regulates the balance of calcium and phosphorus, but also their absorption. Taking in all three elements in your diet will keep jaw bones strong and teeth in place.

Foods:  Calcium – Dairy products, oranges, beans, brown rice, broccoli, salmon. Vitamin D – Sunlight, dairy products, oily fish (sardines, tuna), eggs. Phosphorus – Cereals, soy, nuts, poultry, fish, eggs, citrus, tomatoes, wheat germ.

THE KITCHEN ZINC

Make sure your kitchen contains foods that are rich in zinc and Omega 3 fats. It helps the body fight bacterial growth. Plaque build-up is oral bacteria flourishing along the gum line. Left to grow, it can cause all sorts of unpleasant results like bad breath and gum disease.

Foods:  Wild rice, beef, cheese, cereals, seafood.

UPPING THE ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants include vitamins, enzymes, minerals and other nutrient compounds. Many factors such as nicotine, pollutants, alcohol and hydrogen peroxide can cause oxidative stress. Having a good supply of antioxidants in the body will help offset any imbalances.

Foods:  Goji berries, blueberries, pomegranates, grapes, lychees.

IRON MAN

Tony Stark had the right idea. Iron is needed to protect the body from a range of illnesses and is vital for good oral health. It comes in two forms – folic acid and folate. When iron levels are low in the body, studies indicate a higher risk of gum disease, mouth sores and tongue swelling. Folic acid is the synthetic form of the vitamin, so we will list foods that are rich in the naturally occurring water soluble B9, folate.

Foods:  Leafy green vegetables, peas, beans, fruits, nuts.

VITAMIN A-OK

Healthy saliva needs Vitamin A to help maintain its production. Why we drool when we smell or see food is because the body is getting ready to chew and digest all that delicious stuff. It also washes away possibly harmful substances and bacteria in the mouth. The tissues in the mouth, like the mucous membranes, need it for optimal oral health.

Foods:  Liver, melon, kumara, spinach.

VITAMIN C THIS AND SMILE

As the body does not produce its own Vitamin C and eliminates it via detoxification processes, daily Vitamin C consumption is vital. Not just doctors, but dentists too, want you to eat an apple (or 5) a day. Vitamin C maintains the overall health of gums and teeth.

Foods:  Fruit, vegetables.

Dental Today says, “Eating enough of the above listed foods is beneficial for oral and systemic health.  That’s a two for the price of one bargain that you can pick up whenever you next grocery shop!”

FINALLY – THE BADDIES

For every good food there is unfortunately a bad one. We live in a society that packages sugar and toxicants in heavily processed and desirable ways. For good oral health, please limit the consumption of these no-noes. If they are eaten, get into the habit of rinsing your mouth out afterwards. Brushing and flossing twenty minutes after will offset the damage too.

Coffee, tea and red wines: They stain tooth enamel and dehydrate your body which inhibits saliva production.

Dried fruit or any other sticky food: The residue of these foods sticks to teeth and gums giving the bacteria in the mouth a smorgasbord to feast upon.

Sugars and starches: So yummy, but that bag of crisps contributes to tooth decay and loss of tooth enamel.

AND FINALLY

It is never too late to tweak your diet for the better. Use these facts to make informed choices and you’ll be smiling all the way.

Robert Hudson is studying a bachelor of Communications and majoring in journalism. He is passionate about healthcare topics and comes from a family of dentists. For the last 6 years, he has lived in New Zealand and is determined to continue living in this beautiful country. If you have any questions or would like to connect with Robert please message via Google +.