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You are what you eat, especially for your teeth
Posted: 04.09.2012 at 7:35 AM
Melissa Shriver

Melissa Shriver is a News Anchor and Reporter for KHQA.

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Your kids' toothbrushes aren't the only weapon you have in the fight against tooth decay.  What they eat is key to a healthy mouth.

Denise Cole, R.D. is a registered Dietician with the Cleveland Clinic.

She says yogurt is not only a good source of calcium, it's good for your gums, too.

Cole said, "We actually have some studies that were done on children that show that pre and probiotic in yogurt, when they touch the gums, have a benefit to oral health. So, we did find reduced cavities in some children who were big yogurt eaters."

Cole says one to two servings of yogurt per day will be enough for you and your mouth to benefit.

Apples and celery are said to contain substances that fight gum disease and and the texture helps to scrub food particles as you chew.

Cole says you should choose tap water over bottled water every chance you get because tap water contains fluoride which helps to build enamel on your teeth. And it's not only what you eat, but what you use to eat or drink that can spare your teeth.

Cole said, "So, certain things that we know are acidic, that we know have a tendency to break down the enamel of our teeth, if you're using a straw those things will go past our teeth. So, those things like sodas, orange juice, coffee - anything that we know has an acid that deteriorates enamel."

And it turns out not all juices are bad for your teeth. Studies have shown non-sugary cranberry juice can help keep cavity causing bacteria from sticking to teeth.

Other good food choices include firm, crunchy fruits and vegetables.

These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of sugars, and stimulate the flow of saliva which helps protect against decay.

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