March is National Nutrition Month!
March happens to be National Nutrition Month. 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. You may be wondering exactly why we’re interested in honoring this important annual campaign, and the primary reason is because what you consume not only impacts your body, but it also impacts your dental health.
Image via Nutrition.org
Here is a roundup of our articles that directly correlate with the premise of National Nutrition Month. Be sure to check them out so that you’re taking advantage of helpful tips while you work to incorporate new, healthy changes into your lifestyle 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 these days. You need 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.
- How Soda & “Sugar-Free” Drinks Impact Your Oral Hygiene: Simply put, 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. Try to 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.
- Diabetes & Dental Health: If you’re living with diabetes and have a difficult time maintaining a healthy diet, now is as good a time as any to make some changes. Vow to break those poor dietary habits and cut out sugary foods, soda (regular & diet), and sugary drinks. Learn more about the connection between diabetes and dental health in this useful article.
Looking for ways to positively impact your community & your family during National Nutrition Month? Here are a few ideas courtesy of 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 the children 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
How does your family aim to promote nutrition and a healthful lifestyle during National Nutrition Month & beyond? As always, we welcome any questions regarding your dental health and oral hygiene, as well as information on how we can support you as you work to improve your nutrition and overall lifestyle.
