We’ve all heard the saying that you are what you eat. Those words couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to oral health. According to the American Dental Association, your dental health is the first thing to suffer from a poor diet. Improve your overall health with these super foods:

Cheese
Cheese lovers, rejoice! Not only is it delicious, but it has been shown to increase the pH levels in your mouth and lower your risk of tooth decay by neutralizing the acids in your mouth. It is rich in calcium, protein and other nutrients. Cheese strengthens tooth enamel which protects your teeth from sensitivity.

Celery
Filled with vitamins A and C, celery is great for your gums. It can also act like a toothbrush, scraping away food particles and bacteria as you eat.

Yogurt
Plain yogurts with no added sugars are super foods for your teeth. Yogurt is filled with calcium and protein which help to create strong and healthy teeth. The probiotics, or healthy bacteria, found in yogurt also fight bacteria that can lead to tooth decay.

Leafy Greens
We all know that leafy greens are good for your health, but they are beneficial to our oral wellness too. Low in calories, yet packed with vitamins and minerals, spinach and kale promote oral health. Their high calcium content protects the enamel on your teeth and fights gum disease in pregnant women.

Apples
While most sweets can be harmful to your teeth, apples can be beneficial to your oral health. High in water and fiber, apples can fight bacteria and rinse away remaining food particles. Eating them can also stimulate your gums.

Carrots
Crunch away on carrots as they are filled with fiber and reduce your risk of developing cavities. They are also rich in Vitamin A which can help with vision and immune function.

Almonds
Almonds are healthy snacks for weight loss, but a good source of calcium for your teeth. Similar to leafy greens, they keep tooth enamel strong and healthy.

In addition to regular brushings and cleanings, drinking plenty of water and eating more dairy and vegetables can help to create a strong, healthy smile. For more information on strong, healthy smiles contact our Ooltewah dentist office at 423-238-8887.

One of the first things people notice when meeting you is your smile. Along with a bright and shining smile comes energy and confidence. Additionally, studies have reported that people with brighter, whiter smiles are perceived as being younger.

Proper oral care is the best way to create a healthy shining smile. Brushing and flossing your teeth and rinsing with mouth wash twice a day can help to make your smile shine. However, it is still important to visit the dentist regularly. Schedule visits routinely and try not to miss them. Dental issues develop gradually, therefore when they are treated early it will be less costly and result in less pain and discomfort.

Dietary choices and lifestyle can also affect your smile. Red wine, coffee and smoking can all dull your smile, leaving it slightly yellow. Not only will smoking leave your teeth discolored, but it also increase your chances of developing other health issues including oral cancers. Drinking though a straw or switching to clear liquors can help to reduce the impact on your teeth.

An electric toothbrush is a smart choice when it comes to brushing your pearly whites. It helps to provide better brushing and reaches more areas. Alternating between a standard and whitening toothpaste can help to create a healthy and bright smile.

If you are in search of teeth whitening, our Chattanooga cosmetic dentist can help to create the bright, white smile of your dreams.

Your smile is one of your best features, and usually the first thing people notice. If you are less than pleased with your pearly whites, cosmetic dentistry may be the answer to your dental issues. Cosmetic dental procedures such as teeth whitening, dental veneers, and dental implants can all provide a permanent improvement and give you the confidence you need to really make your smile shine.

Like any other medical procedure, there are steps you should take to maintain the results of your cosmetic dentistry enhancements. Following your treatment, there will be instructions for care and for maximizing the benefits of the procedure. It is important that you follow these instructions and contact your dentist if a problem should arise. Additionally, there are a few other behaviors to avoid if you want to keep your smile at its best.

• To keep your smile at its brightest, you will want to reduce your intake of soda, tea and coffee. When consuming these beverages, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth as the liquids can stain.

• Switch that sugary snack for one that is high in protein. Diets that are high in sugar can lead to tooth decay resulting in more invasive dental work, while high protein diets support oral health.

• Ice crunching is a common habit, but can lead to serious tooth damage. The crunching behavior can fracture or crack your teeth resulting in more invasive dental work.

• Wear a mouth guard at night to prevent teeth grinding. Continual grinding increases your risk of cracks or fractures in your teeth or dental veneers.

• Biting your fingernails puts excessive pressure on your teeth and can be especially harmful if you have dental veneers. Consider nail polish or acrylic tips to help reduce the biting urge.

• When you use your tongue to press against your upper teeth, you can cause your teeth to shift over time. This pressure can ultimately change the appearance of your teeth and lower face.

Keep your teeth at their healthiest and your smile at its whitest and brightest with cosmetic dental enchantments from our Chattanooga dentist.

Written by Tiffany Hutton