Now that Christmas is over, you may be feeling like you’ve overindulged slightly and this may have prompted some resolutions for a healthy new you in 2014. The good news is that eating healthily will not just help you to lose a few Christmas pounds, it will also help to boost your oral health and ensure that you enjoy strong and healthy teeth and gums in the year ahead.

Dental dos: the foods to add to your shopping list in the New Year

You often hear all about the foods you should be avoiding when it comes to oral health, but there are many items you can pop on your weekly shopping list to help boost your oral health.

Calcium is really important for your teeth and bones and it is advisable to ensure you get your recommended daily intake; good sources of calcium include milk, yoghurt and cheese, but if you are dairy intolerant, there are other foods you can eat to get your daily calcium dose and these include tofu, soya beans, leafy green vegetables, nuts and sardines.

Vitamin C is important for the immune system and good general health and helps to lower the risk of gum disease, as well as promoting speedy healing. Good sources of vitamin C include berries and citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, potatoes, peppers and broccoli.

Foods to avoid

Unfortunately, many of the festive favourites, such as mine pies, Christmas pudding and sugared almonds, are high in sugar and this is bad news for the teeth and gums. In the New Year, try to restrict the amount of sugar you eat and stick to complex carbohydrates and fruit and vegetables, rather than indulging in cakes and biscuits.

Acidic foods and drinks can also be troublesome, as they erode the protective tooth enamel; try to avoid drinking a lot of fruit juice and wine and using vinegar-based dressings on salad.

Eating habits

Snacking can be a major problem for oral health; when you eat, the enamel becomes weaker temporarily and if you are snacking throughout the day, this means that your enamel is under constant attack. Try to stick to three meals per day and if you do fancy a snack, go for fibre-rich fruit or vegetables, a wholegrain piece of toast or crackers or a piece of cheese. It is a good idea to drink milk or water after eating and you should always wait around 1 hour after eating to brush your teeth. For more information contact the team at Dublin18 Dental Care near Dalkey.