Give Your Mouth an MOT

Give Your Mouth an MOT - page 2

17-01-2008 11:11

An adequate supply of nutrients from all five food groups promotes healthy teeth and gums as well as a healthy body. Eating foods that contain sugars and carbohydrates of any kind can contribute to tooth decay, if left unchecked. Foods you least expect to, do contain sugar. However; they should not be removed from our diets because many of them contain key nutrients and these foods also add pleasure to eating, just be sure to eat them in moderation.

Healthy foods for teeth

Drinking fruit juices and smoothies as part of a New Year �renewal� can help to boost vitamins, and are okay for your teeth if you pay attention to your oral care.

Some foods help protect against tooth decay. For example, hard cheese increases the flow of saliva. Cheese also contains calcium, phosphate and casein, a milk protein, which protects against demineralization. Finishing a meal with a piece of cheese helps counteract acids produced from carbohydrate foods eaten at the same meal. Milk also contains calcium, phosphate and casein, and the milk sugar, lactose, is less cariogenic than other sugars.

Most nutrition panels on food labels give values for carbohydrates, including a breakdown of sugars and starches. Read the labels and choose wisely to meet your energy and nutrient needs.

Chew on it

After a meal or snack, one of the easiest ways to help inhibit the build up of plaque is to chew sugarfree gum after eating and drinking. That�s because the action of chewing stimulates saliva production � nature�s very own ingredient for neutralising harmful acids in the mouth.

Saliva works its magic in three ways. First, it helps to dilute and wash away food and other debris left in the teeth and mouth after eating. Then it helps to neutralise the acids in the mouth. And as if that wasn�t enough, the calcium, phosphate fluoride, and hydroxyl ions in saliva help to protect against early damage to tooth enamel.

Plus, chewing sugarfree gum is a great way to freshen your breath after eating, and as an added bonus, chewing also keeps your mouth busy so you won�t be tempted to go back for seconds, or snack on your favourite nibble after your main meal.

Mouth and teeth MOT

1.Choose your toothpaste wisely - Always make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride to help to strengthen and help protect the teeth.

2.Use a new toothbrush - Replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the tufts have become worn or splayed.

3.Make a dentist appointment - If you do not visit your dentist regularly, make an appointment - the dentist can tell you how often you should have a check-up.

4.Chew sugarfree gum - Chewing sugarfree gum such as Orbit Complete� as recommended by the British Dental Health Foundation has been clinically proven to help prevent the build up of plaque on teeth and to help to keep your teeth healthy, clean and fresh after meals and snacks.

5.Floss and use mouthwash - To clean the areas that your brush may not be able to reach, dental floss and special brushes clean in-between your teeth; using mouthwash can also help to freshen breath and kill bacteria.