A balanced and nutritious diet is good for your general health and your dental health. Without the right nutrients, your teeth and gums can become more susceptible to decay and gum disease.
Sugar is one of the main causes of dental problems. The average Canadian eats the equivalent of 40 kg of sugar each year. Here are a few ways to cut down:
- Try to choose sugar-free snacks - see the snacks listed below.
- Add less sugar to coffee or tea (or use sugar substitutes).
- Avoid sugar-sweetened soft drinks.
- Avoid all sugary drinks, including fruit juices.
- Read lists of ingredients when you're grocery shopping. Honey, molasses, liquid invert sugar, glucose, and fructose are all types of sugar.
- When you do eat sweets, avoid sticky sweets. They cling to teeth and are harder to brush away. Eat sweets with a meal, not as a snack. The increased flow of saliva during a meal helps to wash away and dilute sugar.
- Carry a travel-size toothbrush and use it after eating sweets. If you can't brush, at least rinse your mouth with water or eat a fibrous fruit or raw vegetables. Or chew a piece of sugarless gum.
Great-tasting snacks that won't harm your teeth:
- Plain milk and buttermilk
- Fruit and raw vegetables
- Plain yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese
- Hard boiled or devilled eggs
- Nuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- Melba toast
- Salads
Make Water Your Drink of Choice:
Choosing healthy drink choices is as important as your food choices. Get in the good habit of comparing the nutrition facts table on drinks to choose products that are lower in sodium, sugars or saturated fat.
Make water your drink of choice and reduce your intake of sugary drinks and sweets which could contribute to tooth decay.
Drinking water is important for your overall health, and is a great way to quench your thirst and stay hydrated without the added sugar, calories, sodium and saturated fats.
Scientific evidence continues to support the health-promoting effects of fluoridated drinking water as a safe and cost-effective method to help prevent tooth decay.
Tips
- Make water the easy choice. Keep a pitcher of water on the table or in the fridge for easy access. Carry a reusable water bottle when you are out.
- Limit sugary drinks. Reduce the number of sugary drinks available at home.
- Add flavour. Flavour your water with fruit and herbs or try carbonated water. Try adding mint, berries or cucumber slices to your water for different flavours.
For more helpful information from Canada's Food Guide, please visit:
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