Which Foods Are Troubling for Your Teeth?

Try as you might to stick to a healthy diet, your teeth just aren’t as strong as you’d like them to be. What gives? Teeth professionals, like Kool Smiles, know that there’s more to it than getting your daily dose of fruits and veggies. Certain foods – even the healthy ones – may be doing more harm than good when it comes to your teeth. This is why it is a good idea to make sure that you visit a jacksonville dentist as they can help put your mind at ease. As this way you can have your teeth checked regularly and you should be able to keep them healthy. If you are interested in a recommendation for a dentist then you should check out someone like Thomas E. Cooke, D.D.S.

Juicing 101 for Healthy Teeth

If you’re making an effort to eat healthier, you may have pulled your juicer from the back of the cupboard, vowing to make fruit and veggie juice at least a couple of times a week. While fruits and vegetables are undoubtedly healthy for you, many of them are packed with sugar and acid, which can wreak havoc on your teeth. You don’t need to avoid juicing entirely; just follow these tips to make sure you’re keeping your smile happy, too.

  • Always use a straw when sipping! This will limit how much the acids and sugar come in contact with your teeth, which will keep them healthy.
  • Get most of the juice from vegetables, especially the green ones. They won’t make your blood sugar spike the same way that fruits and sweeter veggies do. Leafy greens are the best options, like kale, spinach, and collards, because they contain a lot of phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, all nutrients that are good for your teeth.
  • Use fruit sparingly when juicing. Thrown in just a handful of berries or half of a pear or apple. Opt for ripe fruits, which are less acidic than unripe ones.
  • Use a bit of wheatgrass in your juices or smoothies. Wheatgrass is considered a super food because of its many health benefits – it’s energizing, packs in a bunch of vitamins, and is a great source of amino acids and minerals.
  • You may not think that oil has a place in juice, but adding a bit of coconut oil will provide antibacterial properties, which is excellent for teeth. All you need is one teaspoon! You won’t even notice it’s there, other than the delicious hint of coconut.
  • When you think of cranberry juice, you may be thinking of the sugary sweet kind. Regular cranberries and unsweetened cranberry juice is delicious too, without being so detrimental to your smile. Plus, cranberries have compounds that prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth, which can ward off cavities.

Foods That Go CRUNCH!

You love a good crunch snack, but which ones are bad for your teeth and which ones are healthy??

Many snack foods – the same ones that are bad for your waistline – are bad for your teeth. Chips, crackers, and pretzels are bad for your teeth for two reasons: first, they get stuck to your teeth, and second, the carbohydrates break down to sugar, which can ruin the enamel.

Crunchy fruits (pears, apples) gets rid of bacteria and plaque. Plus, these fruits are packed with good-for-you fiber. Raw veggies are great for your teeth (and body) too, and they increase saliva which acts as a defense against gum disease and cavities.

If you’re doing all the right things but your teeth still aren’t looking as you would like them do, you could even contact someone like San Diego cosmetic dentist to help you achieve the smile you’d like.