Oral health can have a big impact on weight loss and wellness. In addition to disrupting sleep and causing headaches, tooth and gum sensitivities can cause a person to skip meals or opt for softer foods that are easier to manage but perhaps not as helpful for a weight loss or wellness plan.
When the mouth is in good shape (including teeth, gums and good bacteria!), it’s much easier to stick to a deliberate meal plan – and follow through with consistent sleep and exercise routines.
Some food and drinks are better for oral hygiene than others. Here’s what to include and what to avoid to support oral health naturally.
5 Foods to Eat for Healthy Teeth & Gums:
Cheese – Rich in calcium and phosphate, cheese and other dairy items can help strengthen tooth enamel and bones. Aged cheeses like Swiss, cheddar and Monterey Jack are ideal.
Leafy Greens – Spinach, Swiss chard, kale and other greens provide additional calcium to strengthen teeth and bones, along with folic acid for healthier gums. Another benefit of eating leafy greens is that they require more chewing, which triggers the mouth to generate saliva – essential for rinsing the surface of the teeth, flushing bacteria and debris to keep the mouth clean.
Firm Fruits – Apples, cucumbers, pears, and strawberries are great for snacking, as their dense water content helps scrub the teeth clean with every bite.
Oatmeal – With magnesium, iron, and vitamin B, oats are packed with minerals that support healthy teeth and gum tissue.
Ginger – Some people are prone to developing more bacteria buildup than others, which can lead to bad breath, lost confidence, and less motivation to socialize. Ginger is excellent for neutralizing mouth bacteria for fresher breath.
5 Foods to Limit for Healthy Teeth & Gums:
Sugary Candy – Sugar is one of the biggest contributors to tooth decay. To satisfy a sweet tooth, look for treats that have sugar-free alternatives, like xylitol or honey.
Starchy Snacks – Potato chips and pretzels can also cause tooth decay, especially when small amounts of these crunchy snacks get stuck between the teeth and start breaking down. Brushing your teeth right after snacking can help.
Citrus Fruits – Oranges and lemons are quite acidic, which can wear down tooth enamel. With that said, oranges and lemons are packed with other nutrients part of a healthy diet. Instead of cutting them out completely, it’s best to eat citrus fruits alongside other foods to minimize the acidic effect on the tooth surface.
Carbonated Drinks – Believe it or not, sweetened seltzer and fizzy drinks tend to do just as much damage as sugary sodas and fruit juice, if not more. That’s because carbonated drinks are more corrosive and acidic.
Sports Drinks – Though they feel like a healthy option after a workout, sports drinks tend to be quite acidic and sugary as well, which can contribute to tooth decay.
It may seem extra, but oral health plays an integral part in overall wellness. Healthy aging, weight loss, fulfilling social relationships, good sleep habits – all of these are interconnected!
