Summer holidays and lazy days on the beach are what many of us dream about at this time of year. Though for some, the idea of clambering into an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny 2-piece is enough to make us feel like booking a skiing trip instead. Summertime beauty often revolves around the concept of ‘less is more’ too. And, the best accessory when going au naturel is a healthy smile.
What if you could make sure your smile and body are beach-ready at the same time? Here’s how:
Constant grazing is bad for our teeth. Plaque forms on our teeth and produces enamel-attacking acid when we eat or drink things that contain sugar. Acid can hang around for up to 20 minutes after eating. So, the more we snack, the more chances acid has to damage our teeth.
When we feel peckish between meals, it’s easy to reach for calorie-laden treats in a moment of weakness. A biscuit here, a handful of crisps there – and before we know it, we’re pounds heavier. Planning limited snacks, rather than giving in to unbridled snack attacks, is the way to lose weight and protect our teeth.
Action plan: Limit snacks to 2 each day and plan snack times in advance.
Raw crudités or fruit is a great alternative to raiding the biscuit barrel. Vitamins and minerals in fruit and veg nourish our bodies in a way junk foods can’t. So if you’re looking for a snack, avoid “empty calories” and choose these are low calorie, natural options such as:
- Carrots
- Apples
- Cucumbers
- Pears
- Celery
Chomping an apple or crunching celery is not only a great hunger buster, it’s good for teeth too. Chewing fibrous foods disturbs plaque and acts like a natural toothbrush to clear away bacteria. And, chewing makes our mouths produce saliva that washes away food particles and minimises acid.
Action plan: Eat natural, unprocessed foods and plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Protein is essential for our health. Increasing the amount of protein we eat can help weight loss too. Our bodies use up more calories to digest protein. And protein rich food stays in the stomach longer, so we feel more satisfied and less likely to snack.
Protein foods such as dairy, meat, eggs and fish contain phosphorous, which can help keep tooth enamel strong. Cheese, yoghurt and milk also contain casein, a protein that helps put minerals back into tooth enamel.
Action plan: Make protein part of every meal
Our bodies rely on water to function. Apparently 37% of people mistake thirst for hunger, so drinking enough water (around 8 glasses each day) will ensure we’re not eating when we don’t need to. Drinking water isn’t enough to keep hunger at bay. But studies have shown that when we eat food that has a high water content, we consume fewer calories.
Staying hydrated is vital for our teeth too because water helps our mouths produce saliva. While it’s not the nicest thing to think about, saliva is a magic potion that protects our teeth.
Action plan: Drink plenty of water and eat water-packed foods like soup.
The idea that eating late at night makes us fat is a myth. But it is easy to overeat in the evening. It’s a time of day when we like to chill out and watch our favourite programmes or surf the net. But these sedentary activities often go hand in hand with grazing.
Imposing a food curfew can be good for our teeth and waistlines. Brushing our teeth half an hour or so after an evening meal can be a little routine to tell ourselves that we’ve finished eating for the night. And it means our teeth have a break from plaque and acid.
Action plan: Brush teeth half an hour after dinner and don’t eat anything else before bedtime.
Follow these 5 simple steps and you’ll feel and look better. Plus, you’ll be looking after your smile as well. If you need extra help to get your smile in shape, Perfect Pearls can help. Book a free consultation today.
