At the beginning of a new, exciting year and after feasting on tons of Christmas cookies, heavy meat dishes, and delicious cheese plates, it is the perfect time to consider a reset, including a healthy, balanced diet to make you look and feel better, but also benefit your beauty smile.

Our bodies are unique and complex machines. All the foods and drinks we consume, as well as the way we consume them, influence in one or another way our general health, as well as the health of our gums and teeth.

Thus, it’s a good idea to pay attention to everything you eat and drink and try to maintain a balanced diet with limited between-meal snacks. If you are on a special diet, keep your physician’s advice in mind when choosing foods.

In addition, keep in mind the following great diet advice:

Drink Water

Water is your perfect daily beverage, as it not only hydrates your entire body but it is greatly beneficial for your teeth and gums. Preferably, consume only pure water, which doesn’t contain added flavors or carbonation, as many of the water additives can cause tooth enamel breakdown. Next to hydration, water can also help by flushing away food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth fresh and clean.

Lower Your Sugar Consumption

Foods and beverages which contain high amounts of sugar can have adverse effects on your beauty smile as they cause the development of bacteria in the mouth, producing harmful acids for your gums and teeth. When acids dissolve the outer surface of the tooth enamel, tooth erosion can occur, and this can further lead to tooth sensitivity or cavities. As sugar is present in almost every prepackaged food we eat, trying to avoid it might be a difficult task.

If you can’t give up on sweets, at least be sure to rinse your mouth after consumption to get the acid-causing bacteria out.

Avoid Acidic Drinks and Foods

The acids, contained in some foods and beverages can erode tooth enamel over time. For example, citrus fruits, tomatoes, pickles, honey, and wine contain acids that can erode tooth enamel if consumed too frequently or held in the mouth for too long. Sodas and sport drinks also tend to have high acidic content that wears away tooth enamel. In addition, they usually contain a high amount of sugar. To protect your enamel, try to avoid or at least limit the consumption of these beverages, and remember to brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth after consuming them.

Try to Quit Smoking

Smoking is particularly bad for your oral health as it can lead to gum disease by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. Thus, smokers are much more prone to infections like periodontal disease.

Toxins from smoking cause tooth discoloration, loss of bone within the jaw, increased levels of oral cancer, and delayed healing after dental procedures.

Eat Foods Rich of Calcium and Phosphorous

As calcium and phosphorous are the building blocks of enamel, including foods rich in those two elements in your diet is very important if you want to maintain a healthy smile.

• The best sources of calcium are milk, yogurt, cheese, seafood, and almonds.
• The best sources of phosphorous include fish, red meat, pumpkin seeds, and eggs.

Finally, don’t forget to visit your Burien dentist for regular check-ups to ensure your teeth and gums are in perfect shape.