Your Strong, Healthy Smile Needs Exercise

| September 6, 2013

 

strongteeth

NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS that much of the dental “wear and tear” we see today hardly existed prehistorically, and overly-processed diets may be partially to blame. While not all experts agree, some studies  conclude that our modern-day teeth are just not getting the workouts they need.

 

Some Wear Is Natural And Even Beneficial

Harder foods eaten in moderation can help strengthen our teeth and gums. In fact, if all we ate were soft foods, our enamel could actually deteriorate. Hard foods can smooth the surfaces of our teeth, making them flatter. This can help more evenly distribute chewing force and can help protect our teeth.

Yes it’s true… Our teeth need exercise.  But there are right and wrong ways to strengthen our smiles. Let’s talk about a few dos and don’ts.

 Do:

  • Eat raw vegetables and fruit. There’s grinding and healthy resistance when you eat these kinds of foods—which can be strengthening. But it’s also gentle and less likely to cause damage.
  • If you eat meat, eat tough meat once in a while—like a steak. According to the American Dental Association, the phosphorus in red meat also helps protect tooth enamel and bone. Each slice of sirloin provides a good, prolonged chew giving your teeth and gums some good exercise. Be sure to thoroughly chew each bite.
  • Eat nuts, but eat them carefully. Our enamel is hard but it can fracture. Chew with caution.

Don’t:

  • Try not to clench your jaw or grind your teeth. This can lead to microfractures.
  • Never use your teeth to open packages, bottles, or to bite your nails. Using your teeth as scissors or a knife can harm your smile and your dental work. Biting your nails is not only unsanitary and potentially damaging, but it can also cause teeth to shift.
  • Crunching on ice cubes is NOT a good idea. Let the ice cool your drink, not damage your smile.

A Fun, Vintage Video About Exercising Your Teeth

How Do You Strengthen Your Smile?

A balanced diet of hard and soft foods is one way to help strengthen your smile. Do you know of others? If so, please share them with us on our Facebook page!

We appreciate having you as our valued patient. Thanks for the trust you place in us!

Founded in 1978, Grandview Dental Care is a leading Columbus Ohio dentist offering a wide range of general and cosmetic dental services in the Columbus area including: Invisalign, dental implants, IV sedation dentistry, and veneers.  Grandview Dental Care is conveniently located at 1220 Grandview Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43212 in Grandview Heights, near Marble Cliff, Upper Arlington, The Ohio State University campus, and downtown Columbus.  You can give us a call at 614-468-8654.

Looking for more ways to keep your mouth healthy?  Check out these related blog posts.

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