How Food Can Affect Your Oral Health
It’s no secret that the ingredients we use to make our meals matter. Not only do they affect how good our food tastes, but the ingredients themselves play a large role in our overall health. While we often consider the impact ingredients will have on our hearts, immune system, cholesterol, and even weight, very few of us pause to consider how the foods we eat may affect the health of our teeth and gums.
So, if healthy teeth are something you’d like to leave on the menu, there are 3 key factors to take into account when choosing what to eat.
1. Shun the sugar
Everyone knows that sugar is bad for teeth, so keeping sweets to a minimum is a good idea. But are you keeping an eye out for foods with added sugar? Many of the foods we eat are loaded with sugar hiding in plain sight. It’s a common ingredient in condiments such as ketchup and barbecue sauce as well as many salad dressings. Have no fear, there are simple steps you can take to limit your sugar intake:
- Check labels carefully for added sugar and steer clear of corn syrup if possible
- Track your daily sugar consumption – keep it around 24 grams*
- Make homemade salad dressings rather than buying from the store
2. Avoid the acid
An important thing to remember when choosing ingredients is that acid is not your friend. It can break down tooth enamel, weakening your teeth and leaving them extremely sensitive and more vulnerable to decay. Processed foods, popular drinks like coffee and wine, as well as refined sugars like the ones mentioned above are major culprits, but unfortunately many of the foods that are eaten to maintain one’s health are too. Many fruits, nuts, and even dairy can have high acidity. While good for you, the fruits below are also the most acidic, so enjoy in moderation.**
- Lemon juice
- Limes
- Plums
- Grapes
- Pomegranates
3. Brush with baking soda toothpaste
While you can certainly take actions to reduce the amount of refined sugars and acidic foods you consume, it’s almost impossible to eliminate them completely. So, it’s extra important to neutralize those acids before they can do harm. Brushing your teeth with baking soda toothpaste is just what the dentist ordered as no other ingredient found in toothpaste breaks down acids better. ARM & HAMMER™ has a great range of baking soda toothpastes so you’re sure to find the one that fits your needs.
With some smart decisions and the acid-neutralizing power of baking soda in ARM & HAMMER™ toothpastes, you’ll be well on your way to improving your oral health. That’s a lot to smile about.
• Recommended Sugar Levels Per Serving
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/recommended-sugar-levels-per-serving-10717.html
• Tips for Limiting Acidic Foods
