We all know how important a balanced diet is! When you select what to eat, you aren’t just selecting for your taste buds. Everything that goes into your mouth has an impact on the rest of your body as well. Your food determines your weight, skin clarity, heart health, etc. Most important in our office is the way your food choices affect your oral health, and we aren’t just talking about candy creating cavities! A balanced diet does amazing things for your teeth. We’ve put together a list of three top tips to help you create a balanced diet.
1) Half of your food should be fruits and vegetables
That’s right. According to the Department of Agriculture and the MyPlate initiative, half of your plate should be covered in vegetables and fruit. Amazing things happen to your teeth when you eat fresh fruits and vegetables, especially crunchy foods. The crunch will help clean your teeth, and the vitamins and minerals will restore your tooth enamel!
2) Lean protein, low-fat dairy, and whole grains make up the rest of your plate
The other half of your plate should be split equally amongst protein, dairy, and whole grains. The protein and dairy are especially beneficial to your smile because the minerals help to remineralize the enamel of your teeth, making them stronger!
3) Notice what is missing?
Sweets are not a part of MyPlate. We think it’s just fine to enjoy a treat every once in a while! Avoid treats that are especially sticky or chewy, like caramel, but feel free to have that slice of chocolate cake. Just remember to brush and floss afterward to remove any sugary debris!
Taking care of your body and taking care of your teeth are often the same story on different pages of the book! Eating a balanced diet will benefit you in every way. Consider ways that you need to change your diet to better fit the MyPlate model, and contact us to set up an appointment for your teeth! We’d love to see you soon!
