Nutrition

What does nutrition have to do with oral health?

Nutrition and healthy eating habits play an important role in achieving and maintaining good oral health. A proper balanced diet including all the main food groups, that is, fruit & vegetables , milk products , meat, fish or other protein supplements , and breads and cereals are necessary to achieve this goal.

Tips to a healthy smile:

1. Avoid foods with high concentration of sugar(cakes, ice-cream, honey..).
   
   
2. Sugar.It's not just candy! Check the concentration of sugar! Research has reviealed that foods like potato chips, crackers, breads, and a high carbohydrate diet(rice, pasta) can be as damaging to teeth as candy.
   
   
3. Avoid sticky and soft foods because they cling to your tooth surface and get between the teeth providing a better environment for the bacteria to attack (ie: raisins...).
   
   
4. Try snacking on yellow cheese after your meal as it helps to neutralize the acids in your mouth, especially after the consumption of sweet foods.
   
   
5. Hard and crunchy foods are the safest because they increase saliva production and help to self clean the teeth (carrots, apples, celery).
   
   
6. Don't forget that many drinks have a high concentration of sugar.apple juice, milk, ice-tea, pop..etc. Keep sweet drinks to meal times and promote clear water drinking and rinsing for in-between meals and snacks!
   
   
7. Make sure good drinking water is in easy reach for your child!