We all know that brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups help keep our teeth and gums healthy. In addition to that a healthy diet is equally important.

Maybe you already eat a diet free of sugary and carbonated drinks and sugary snacks, but did you know that milk, cereals, bread, pasta, fruits and some vegetables contain sugars and/or starches?

These starchy foods mix with your saliva causing an acid bath that eats away at tooth enamel making your teeth more susceptible to decay.

So what should we eat then? I’m glad you asked!

Fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts are better snack choices than candies, pastries, chips, soda, and other sweetened drinks and foods. While natural (whole) foods contain their natural sugars, chewing increases and flow of saliva does too which decreases acidity in the mouth and it washes away food particles. Choose apples, pears, grapes, berries, veggie sticks and mixed nuts for your snacks A good habit to adopt is to drink water during and after eating all meals to help rinse away leftover acids and food particles from the teeth.

A balanced diet of whole foods provides the entire body with much-needed vitamins and minerals, calcium rich foods such as leafy greens for teeth and bones and foods with naturally occurring calcium fluoride (which is remarkably safe).

By following these few simple suggestions you’ll benefit with healthier teeth and gums, fresher breath and you’ll get an extra bonus of less unhealthy fats stored in your body and more oxygenated blood which in turn will boost your energy level.

Eat and drink for your teeth and your health!