Started off the new year with good intentions to eat healthier? Want to get in shape for the summer months ahead?
Making a few lifestyle changes – like going to the gym throughout the week and resisting the temptation to order a cheeky takeaway on the weekend – is a great way to shed pounds.
However, we thought you should know that some weight loss tips can actually cause harm to your teeth. And the last thing you want is to get down to your target weight and not feel confident enough to smile about it!
Allow the team at Kiln Lane Dental to explain what fad diets can do to your oral health and how we can help you lead a happy and healthy lifestyle at our dental practice in St Helens.
Using meal-replacement smoothies
If you’re eager to lose weight quickly, you may contemplate swapping some of your meals for smoothies.
However, blending fruits doesn’t have the same effect as eating them whole. When you eat an apple or banana, for example, the fructose (naturally-occurring sugar) is encased in fibres that your body breaks down in the digestive system. With smoothies, the sugars instantly stick to your teeth and can have a detrimental impact on your oral health.
If you’ve not got time for a bowl of cereal in the morning, grab a piece of fresh fruit and drink lots of water. And if you’re looking for a healthy snack to tide you over to your next meal, try raw vegetables such as carrots or celery – both provide antioxidants and will increase your saliva production and reduce the risk of cavities.
Eating little and often
Dieticians suggest eating smaller portions more frequently if you want to lose weight. It’s believed to prevent bloating and help boost your energy levels, allowing your body to function efficiently throughout the day.
But something you may not be aware of is, the more times you eat, the longer your teeth are under attack from acids and bacteria.
Therefore, we recommend sticking to three nutritional meals a day. Drinking plenty of water in between meals will also help curb pangs of hunger and benefit your teeth at the same time.
Opting for low-fat foods
When watching their weight, some people decide to cut fat from their diets.
This is not something our dental experts advise as, more times than not, food manufacturers use sugar as a substitute to enhance and preserve flavours.
Sugar attracts bad bacteria and can slowly dissolve the enamel, causing tooth decay. This can make your teeth extremely sensitive and affect their appearance – leaving you embarrassed to talk and smile.
Instead of searching high and low for foods with reduced fat in the supermarket, products that contain healthier fats will be better for your health and teeth. Things like fish, avocados, chia seeds, eggs, nuts and yoghurt.
Drinking plenty of fluids
Whether you’re watching what you eat and counting calories or simply exercising more, it’s important to take on plenty of fluids – but not too many caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee and energy drinks!
Drinking water will prevent you from dehydrating and fill you up faster – meaning you won’t feel the urge to overindulge.
In addition to water, our dental professionals also recommend drinking milk as its calcium content is great for your teeth and bones!
Top tip: if you don’t like water or milk, consider diluting a sugar-free fruit juice or cordial with water.
How can Kiln Lane Dental help?
Eating healthy and exercising regularly will help you to get summer-body-ready – but you also need to establish a good oral hygiene routine. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day and attending regular dental check-ups.
As a leading St Helens family dentist, we can advise you on how to care for your teeth properly and are proud to offer a wide range of preventative and restorative dental treatments for patients of all ages.
The first step is to arrange a consultation with our friendly dental experts. During this appointment, we will assess the condition of your teeth and establish a suitable treatment plan for your dental needs – whether it be a simple scale and polish, tooth whitening, composite bonding or Invisalign®.
Why not get in touch to get the ball rolling today? Either call us on 01744 25776 or email info@kilnlanedental.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you.