Promote Oral Health with Good Nutrition

Calcium And Vitamin C Promote Oral Health

Eating a variety of nutritious food is good for your overall health, including your oral health. Some vitamins in particular have demonstrated benefits to building healthy teeth, namely calcium and vitamin C, so be sure to include foods rich in these nutrients in your diet. Calcium has been shown to help build strong teeth, and vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that also plays an important role in collagen synthesis, by which it helps you develop and maintain healthy gums.

•Calcium: Dairy products, including milk, yogurt and cheese are good sources of calcium. Many physicians recommend 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium daily for most adults, so you may want to consider a calcium supplement, especially if dairy products aren’t a regular part of your diet. Also, try switching to low-sugar or sugar-free varieties of yogurt, since sugar (and bacteria) can promote tooth decay.

•Vitamin C: Many fruits and vegetables including berries, oranges and cantaloupe, as well as green vegetables including broccoli and spinach are excellent sources of vitamin C.

Of course, in addition to eating right, it’s important to follow a consistent dental care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to promote oral health. And be sure to see your dental professional regularly and talk to them if you have questions about how your diet might affect your oral health.

Pain Free Flossing

One of the most common reasons people give for not flossing their teeth daily is that they find flossing uncomfortable and even painful. Some people experience bleeding gums after flossing, and this discourages them from continuing with this healthy habit and important element of dental hygiene.

The truth is, even if you have sensitive gums, you can enjoy pain-free flossing. Instead of the thin, string-like flosses, try a soft floss, such as Oral-B® SATINfloss®. Or try a dental tape, such as Oral-B’s Satin Tape, which is wider than standard floss. Many people with sensitive gums find that the dental tape is more comfortable, enabling them to make flossing part of their daily oral care routine.

Also, be sure that you’re using a soft-bristle brush, so your teeth and gums aren’t irritated when it's time to floss. Use a soft touch with both brushing and flossing—you don’t need to scrub hard with your toothbrush or use a lot of force when you floss to get the benefits, just be sure to brush thoroughly and floss between each tooth.

As a wise dentist once said, "You don’t have to floss all your teeth—just the ones you want to keep!"

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