When discussing maintaining and improving oral health, apart from brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, what we eat and drink makes quite a difference. That is why choosing nutrient-rich and healthy snacks for your snacking time is very important for keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Understanding the impact the intake of a variety of food has on our gums and teeth can make a notable difference in helping you maintain it.
In this article, we will have a look at a variety of healthy snack options that can help you smile brightly and keep your gums healthy. If you are looking for a dentist to guide you in your dental health, consider searching for a dental practice in Whitby,Ontario, who can help you with guidance.
A look into the variety of healthy snacks:
Nutrient-Rich Snacks For Your Healthy Gums And Strong Teeth.
To maintain healthy teeth and gums, having a balanced diet that provides essential nutrients is very necessary. Certain vitamins and minerals play an important role in oral health, and choosing snacks that are high in these vitamins and minerals can help you.
Calcium
Calcium helps strengthen tooth enamel and bones; hence, it is said to be an essential mineral in dental health. Snacks that are high in calcium are milk and milk products like yogurt, cheese, and milk. Since cheese increases salivation, allowing it to clean out food particles and balance acids in the mouth, it can be a terrific snack choice.
Vitamin D
An essential vitamin that is needed for the absorption of calcium, as a nutritious snack food, smoked fatty fish like salmon and tuna and fortified foods like orange juice can be great snack options.
Phosphorus
For building strong and healthy teeth and gums, phosphorus works alongside calcium. Snack options from food groups like nuts and seeds and whole grain can help you get sufficient phosphorus; whole grain crackers and a handful of sunflower seeds can be great snack options.
Snacks That Can Help You Clean Your Teeth:
Some snacks have natural properties that can help you clean your teeth while reducing the risk of cavities and plaque build-up. These can be snacks that typically require chewing, which can stimulate the production of saliva that ultimately helps you will away food particles and bacteria from your mouth.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
The high water content present in fruits and vegetables helps you clean your teeth by increasing the flow of saliva and scrubbing plaque away. Apple, carrot, and celery can be excellent examples that can help you act as a natural toothbrush, remove particles, and promote oral hygiene.
Fibrous foods
Foods that are high in fiber require more chewing and help produce more saliva that can help with cleansing your teeth. Leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, which contain a high amount of minerals and vitamins, can help with oral health. Fresh salad or a kale smoothie can be a great snack choice.
Beverages That Help In Maintaining Oral Health:
While maintaining oral health, what you drink is also as much important as what you eat.
Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which have shown properties that reduce inflammation and fight bacteria in the mouth. Drinking unsweetened green tea can be beneficial for reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Milk and Fortified Plant Milk
As an excellent source of important minerals, calcium, and vitamin D that help keep your gums and teeth strong, milk is a great choice for a quick snack. Fortified plant milk available in the market, such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk, can provide this nutrient to people who prefer plant-based milk or those who are lactose intolerant.
Water
Water is the best beverage for maintaining your overall health. As it helps cleanse your mouth by washing away particles of food, bacteria, and acids from your mouth, making it a habit of drinking more water throughout the day can be beneficial.
To maintain oral health, having a balanced diet and timing of the intake, if balanced throughout your day, will make a significant difference.
