Your Recipe for Dental Health

We all know that a well-balanced diet is an important element in the development of healthy teeth and bones. We recognize the importance of ensuring that our children get the recommended daily number of servings of milk, cheese and other good calcium sources, but let’s not forget that our own, grown-up nutritional balance is an ongoing requirement as well.

You may be surprised to learn that teeth are “alive”, and that in order to keep them healthy you need to maintain a well-balanced diet, including potassium, phosphorous, vitamin D and calcium. The best dietary sources for vitamin D and calcium are dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese, while potassium and phosphorous can be found naturally in fruits and vegetables.

Of course, healthy teeth aren’t much good if they are held in place by bad gums. That’s why it’s important to ensure that your diet includes enough vitamin B and C to help keep gum disease away.

Studies have shown that nutrient intake reduces in quality with fewer teeth. In other words, a full set of healthy teeth ensures that you are able to chew and consume all of the nutritious foods you need, ensuring continued good oral and general health. The dependent relationship between our nutrition and oral well-being is irrefutable. To keep up your overall health, aim for well-balanced meals with selections from each of the five major food groups:

• breads, cereals or other grains;
• fruits;
• vegetables;
• meat, fish, poultry or protein alternatives;
• milk, yogurt or cheese.

It’s not too late to help preserve and protect your teeth and gums by supplementing your diet with dairy or calcium-fortified products, as well as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Not only will your gums and teeth remain healthy, but your overall health is sure to benefit as well.