Let’s Celebrate National Nutrition Month!

It’s that time of year again: National Nutrition Month! In case you missed our post last year, this campaign was initiated by the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics in an effort to amplify the importance of making informed food choices and to develop healthy eating and physical activity habits. So, why are we celebrating this important annual campaign? Simply put, what you consume impacts your body AND your oral health.

We’re revisiting some of our most relevant posts; those that directly correlate with the premise of National Nutrition Month. Check them out and take advantage of our helpful tips while you focus on health and wellness this month & beyond:

• 5 Foods that Protect Your Tooth Enamel: When it comes to your overall health AND your oral health, it’s about more than just watching your sugar intake. It’s important to be cognizant of factors like: food quality, food consistency, nutritional composition, and even the combination of foods that you’re eating. Learn more about 5 types of foods that can help to protect your tooth enamel and, in turn, improve your oral health.
• 7 Foods & Drinks that Can Help Brighten Tooth Enamel: You’ve probably heard the saying “you are what you eat”. Many of us associate this with our bodies, but healthy teeth are essential to the overall health of our bodies, too. What we choose to put into our mouths influences our gums, our teeth and how healthy our smiles are. Check out these seven foods and drinks that can help to brighten tooth enamel. 
• How Soda & “Sugar-Free” Drinks Impact Your Oral Hygiene: It should come as no surprise that regular soda contains sugar, which combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. What does this mean? The acid attacks your teeth and can cause tooth decay. Because of acidity, sugar-free drinks have the potential to cause the same amount of erosion as regular soda. Learn more about the impacts that regular & diet soda, as well as sugar-free drinks, have on your oral health.
• Tips for Preventing & Reducing Bad Breath: There are a number of reasons why someone may experience halitosis, or bad breath, and your diet is one of the primary culprits. If you can, stay away from or limit foods like garlic and onions as well as sugary foods and sweet treats.
• How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy: In addition to maintaining a regular brushing and flossing routine, there are other factors you should be aware of when it comes to keeping your teeth healthy. As noted above, too many sugary foods can have a detrimental impact on your tooth enamel. Moreover, make sure that you have plenty of healthy snacks available, like fruit and veggies, so that you give yourself the opportunity to make a healthier choice. It’s often when we’re not prepared that we make hasty decisions in the way of food consumption.

If you’re looking for ways to positively impact your community & your family during National Nutrition Month, take a look at these ideas from EatRight.org:

• Organize a food donation campaign for a local food bank, shelter or other related program
• Try to incorporate a new fruit or vegetable into your meal planning every week
• Encourage your kiddos to help with weekly meal planning to get them engaged and excited about what they’re eating
• Contact your local library to see if they’re interested in working together to create informational and educational presentations
• Plant a vegetable garden at home with your children (as weather permits, of course)
• Create a weekly nutrition-focused trivia game to play before or after dinner as a family

What does your family do when it comes to promoting health, nutrition & wellness? We’d love to hear more! As always, feel free to contact us with any oral health related questions.