Smile!

Smile! It’s a beautiful day! For the word of God says, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Early this morning I was so blessed when I was greeted by a smile on the face of my little one. It’s amazing how uplifting a smile can be. My dentist and my orthodontist focus their advertising on helping their patients achieve a bright smile. I personally pursued a healthy smile through brushing, flossing, regular dental cleanings, braces and retainers. I learned however that certain foods impact having a healthy mouth and a great smile.

Tooth decay occurs when the tooth enamel is destroyed. This type of decay results from a buildup of sugary or starchy food residues left in contact with our teeth. Some of these foods are more obvious than others such as candy, cakes, soda and cookies. Those that may not be apparent for example are bananas, cereals, and breads. Bacteria love this type of environment; they thrive off it causing formation of acids from these foods that lead to decay. The longer food remains in contact with our teeth the more acid. I learned from my orthodontist that our molars (the teeth that grind our food) or even teeth that are not properly aligned are food trap zones.

There are some foods that neutralize acids (countering acids that lead to decay) and increase saliva:

Pears and apples
Both pears and apples have a high water content which help the mouth to produce greater saliva flow. The more saliva flows the greater the protection against bacteria.

Tea with milk
Wash away bits of food, strengthen your teeth, and get important tooth minerals that fight decay by drinking tea with milk.

Nuts, chicken and dairy foods
Nuts, chicken and dairy foods provide tooth minerals such as phosphorus and calcium.