Foods for a Better Smile
By Genevieve Cunningham
Everyone wants a pearly white smile. Straight, gleaming, beautiful teeth are part of the overall package. A good smile can make or break the face, lead to self confidence, and just make you feel better about yourself. While we all know the typical tips for a nice smile … brush and floss daily, eat plenty of calcium, etc … there are other areas that you can concentrate on to boost your pearly whites. One great area to start with is your diet. Take a look at these great foods to eat on a regular basis that can boost the health and appearance of your smile.
Apples
Apples are not only delicious, they are great for your teeth. The gritty texture of apples serves as a sort of natural toothbrush. If you just had lunch and don’t have time to brush, end your meal with a healthy apple. The action of chewing this fruit will brush the excess food off of your teeth and keep them healthier until you can brush again. It also doesn’t hurt that you’ll get a big dose of Vitamin C and smaller doses of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium.
Milk
The health-promoting aspect of milk is the high amount of calcium found in it. Your teeth (and your bones) rely heavily on this nutrient. When you don’t get enough, both your teeth and your bones can suffer greatly. If you don’t like milk, you can also try eating more cheese, yogurt, or similar dairy products. But if you can stand it, try drinking a glass a day and you’ll be boosting your body’s calcium percentage and protecting your teeth from breakage and decay.
Water
Water doesn’t provide any nutrients to protect your teeth. It simply cleans them. The more water you drink throughout the day, the less likely staining foods or plaque stick around. Many people underestimate the power of cleaning your teeth regularly. It’s when plaque sits around on the teeth for a long period of time that the real damage is done. Drink water all day long, and keep your teeth healthier and whiter.
Your teeth and their general health really matter. We all want beautiful smiles to help us feel more confident and good about ourselves. Not to mention, the teeth you have as an adult are the only teeth you’re going to get, so it’s vital that you take care of them. Make brushing and flossing a habit, eat the proper foods, and keep your smile strong and gleaming for years to come.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.