For seniors, staying healthy and looking good are rapidly climbing to the top of their “to do” lists. If you maintain a healthy diet, you can kill two birds with one stone. There is no down side to maintaining a healthy diet. It keeps your mind, body and even your mouth in good shape. There are plenty of foods out there that can be easily incorporated into your diet that will help keep your teeth (and your body) healthy for many years to come.
Firm and crunchy fruits and vegetables are usually high in water content and help to dilute the effects of the sugars they contain, as well as stimulate the flow of saliva. Dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, are also beneficial to your oral health. Chicken and nuts are thought to be good for your teeth because they contain the calcium and phosphorus that is needed to re-mineralize your teeth (a natural process by which minerals are replaced in tooth enamel after being removed by acids).
Drinking lots of water contributes greatly to healthy teeth by increasing the flow of saliva and washing away any food particles that may be lingering in the gaps between your teeth.
Avoid foods that contain large amounts of sugar. The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and excrete acids that are harmful to teeth. They are also full of empty calories and can affect your sleep schedule: two very important factors of a healthy lifestyle.
You should also avoid snacking too much. It takes saliva approximately 40 minutes to start protecting your mouth after a meal so having too many in a day doesn’t give your teeth enough time to recover from the previous meal.
If you want to look and feel younger, maintain a healthy diet and a regular dental hygiene routine. Do you have any other suggestions to share?
