March is National Nutrition Month, which works out well since many of us are trying to shed pounds before spring arrives. While eating well is important for maintaining a healthy weight, it’s also vital for the health and appearance of your teeth.
Turn to foods that not only taste delicious but to those that are good for your oral health too. That means avoiding any foods high in sugar-either natural or artificial. Having too much of a sweet tooth can turn into dire oral health. Also, be on the lookout for artificial preservatives & food coloring. These contribute to a more acidic state in the body which increases bacteria and creates inflammation.
You should choose foods that are good for your diet and your oral health, such as fruits and veggies. Do, however be careful with fruits like oranges as they are high in acid and this acid can erode your tooth enamel. Dairy products are awesome for supporting tooth enamel and help to balance the pH in the mouth. Lastly, protein rich foods contain phosphorus, an important nutrient for excellent oral health-so feel good about eating lots of lean proteins such as chicken and fish.
Remember, excellent nutrition is beneficial for your ORAL health as well as your TOTAL health. Call Dr. Vaughan's office should you have any difficulty when eating. If you are experiencing jaw pain when chewing, this could be a sign of TMJ (TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint).TMJ can be painful when eating, talking and even yawing. It is also more likely to present itself as we age. Another pesky problem is wisdom teeth. They can be partially erupted or impacted and this can cause significant pain-especially when chewing! Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require removal. Dr. Vaughan and his caring staff can easily remove these problem teeth and can even sedate you for the procedure should you desire.There is no reason to spend another day not enjoying eating healthfully! With Dr. Vaughan's help you can begin good habits during National Nutrition Month and continue them for a lifetime!
