The Best Foods and Drinks for Your Teeth

We all want to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. While brushing is key, the foods we eat also impact the health of our mouth and teeth. Below are some recommended foods, drinks, and snacks that essentially help our teeth: 

Milk & cheese: These products often contains loads of calcium, which help to strengthen our teeth and other bones. Dairy products also contain casein, a type of protein, which helps give us energy and strength to our teeth.A variety of  additional products also contain added calcium, such as orange juice. For a special treat, look for chocolate calcium supplements at your health food store. 

Fruits & Vegetables: Vegetables contain fiber, which is also great for your smile. Just make sure to brush after a plateful of spinach! Some fruits, such as raspberries, contain fiber, too. Fibrous fruits and vegetables often take a little longer to chew than non-fiber-dense foods. This process is important because the more we chew, the more saliva we generate. Saliva also helps maintain our teeth. 

Chew This: Speaking of saliva, chewing gum is also a great way to help your teeth. In addition to the generation of protective saliva, chewing gum may be substituted for sugary and salty snacks.Tea and Water: It is important to stay hydrated, especially during the summer months. Hydration improves our overall health and also affects what we eat. Aim for drinks with low to little sugar to maintain the best smile. 

Aim to eat and drink a few items a day which directly affect your teeth health. Experiment and try a variety of fruits and vegetables, for instance. Prepare healthy, enjoyable meals and remember to eat and drink for your health!

How to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Love the ooey goodness of homemade brownies? Is it a necessity to pick up a few extra candies from the checkout lane of the grocery store? Always pack a few cookies in your lunch bag to much on during the day? Sweets are definitely a part of our culture, and while it’s okay for many of us to enjoy sugar-based goodies in moderation, too much sugar spikes insulin levels, which may cause us to store excess fat. Excess sugar also contributes to tooth decay. However, it is possible to enjoy a sweet life and also maintain a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few tips for some on-the-go snacks:

Accessorize Your Fruits: Fruits contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting antioxidants. Create a quick and easy dessert with fruits: sprinkle cinnamon, dabble honey, or blend with yogurt. The combination of the juicy fruit with the savory treat will make for a scrumptious snack or dessert.

Freeze Your Fruits: Frozen fruits can dramatically change the texture of a fruit and make for a great summer snack.

Substitute Candy for Energy: While candy bars are easy for us to grab on the go, they are loaded with more sugar than our body likes. It is possible to enjoy a quick snack and also stay healthy. Check out the energy bar section of your grocery store next time you are shopping. Look for the energy bars that are low in sugar or contain lots of fruit. Try to avoid energy bars with artificial ingredients, and go for all-natural or organic ones, which are much easier for our bodies to consume.

Go Dark: If chocolate is a must, then substitute a few pieces of dark chocolate for milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants and has a rich taste. Look for dark chocolates combined with dried fruit or nuts to add a little more nutrition to your day.