What Does Dental Health Have to do With Healthy Meal Prep?
When it comes to maintaining good health, most people immediately focus on exercise and nutrition. However, many overlook other aspects of heath and wellness such as oral health. Your dental health is a vital component of overall health, and it's important to take care of your teeth and gums. For most, dental health isn’t a focus until there is a problem to fix. There are several preventative steps you can take to maintain your oral health. One way to do this is by eating healthy meals, which can provide numerous benefits for your oral health and overall well-being.
We’ve partnered with our friends at Friends and Family Dental, located in Calgary to bring you the best information to help you understand and improve your dental health. In this blog post, we will discuss the ways in which eating healthy meals can improve your oral health, the other benefits of eating healthy, and how using a healthy meal prep service can make eating healthy easier.
Dental health and food
The food you eat daily has a big impact on the condition of your teeth and gums. Consuming a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables can help to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. This is because many fruits and vegetables contain fiber, which acts as a natural toothbrush, scrubbing away harmful bacteria and debris from your teeth.
Additionally, fresh fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, which can help to reduce inflammation and fight gum disease. Fruits and vegetables, along with meat, eggs, cheese and healthy fats are all foods that are categorized as low cavity risk. Check out our blog post that goes into detail about foods that fall into the 3 cavity risk categories.
Another benefit of consuming healthy foods to improve your oral health is that you’re providing the essential nutrients that your teeth and gums need to stay strong and healthy. For example, calcium and vitamin D are important for strong bones and teeth, while vitamin C is essential for healthy gums. Examples of food that are high in these nutrients are:
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Spinach
- Kale
- Salmon
- Kiwi
- Broccoli
- Lemons
- Soybeans
By consuming a well-balanced diet that includes these essential nutrients, you can help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Maintaining a healthy mouth
Dr. Jeffrey Ma from Friends and Family Dental states that your diet accounts for 2/3 of your dental health. That is substantial when you think about the foods you consume daily. Other than monitoring the foods you consume, there are other things you can do to practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. Dr. Jeffrey Ma recommends a regular cleaning and check up every 3-6 months. By combining good oral hygiene practices with a healthy diet, you can ensure that your teeth and gums stay strong and healthy for years to come.
If you are a regular Nutri-post reader, it’s no surprise to you that we love to talk about the great benefits to eating heathy. There are loads of benefits that come with eating healthy, and as we discussed, oral health is one of them!
Other benefits of eating healthy meal prep
In addition to improving your oral health, incorporating healthy meals into your lifestyle can provide numerous other benefits for your overall well-being. For example, a healthy diet can help to maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and improve cognitive function. Eating healthy is also proven to boost your energy levels and improve your mood, helping you to feel more focused, productive, and positive throughout the day.
While eating healthy meals can provide numerous benefits, it can be challenging to prepare healthy meals consistently. This is where using a healthy meal prep service can be helpful. At Nutrimeals you can find a wide variety of healthy meals that are ready to eat, making it easier to stick to a healthy diet. Additionally, many healthy meal prep services offer a variety of meal options, so you can choose the meals that fit your dietary preferences and needs.
When choosing a healthy meal prep service, it's important to keep the items we discussed earlier in mind! Look for meal prep services that high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients to ensure your oral health is also being considered. Look for a service that offers meals that are made with whole foods and that are free from additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.
To summarize, eating healthy meals can provide numerous benefits for your oral health and overall well-being. By consuming a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, you can help to prevent tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease while improving your energy levels, mood, and cognitive function. If you find sticking to a healthy diet can be challenging, use a healthy meal prep service to make it more convenient. When choosing a healthy meal prep service, be sure to choose a service that uses high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients and that offers meals that are tailored to your dietary needs and preferences. By incorporating healthy meals into your routine, you can take an important step towards improving your overall health and well-being, including your oral health.