As your Local Redcliffe Dentist knows,  winter is a time with shorter days, cool temperatures and more time to spend home as COVID-19 is hitting again our community. All this can have a major effect in what we eat and how well we look after our teeth.

Do you feel hungrier in winter and when you spend too much time at home? Some researchers suspect cool weather may trigger an evolutionary relic inside us to fatten up to survive environmental conditions… so actually winter may make you hungrier! Another theory is that the change of season may influence some of our hormones that control appetite and hunger.

All of these factors, combined with the stress of the pandemic, doesn’t encourage us to embrace healthy eating.

So, what happens with our teeth and overall oral health when we don’t make healthy food choices? We have been taught as long as we floss once a day and brush morning and night, our teeth will be healthy.  But is this accurate?

Our eating habits will have a big impact on the development or prevention of tooth decay. Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods from all the food groups promotes healthy teeth and gums. To satisfy both your body and mind, try to seek for comfort foods that fill your belly, warm you up and make your body and soul feel good.

Try to resist the urge to snack frequently as, the more often you eat between meals, the more likely you are to introduce sugar and acid that will attack your teeth. Smart snacking also will help keeping your mouth in a good shape, try to choose things such as raw vegetables, fruits, plain yogurt and nuts.

Remember to brush your teeth after you snack, if you can’t, rinse your mouth with water to get rid of food particles.

There are plenty of options that can have a positive effect on our dental and general health. A balanced eating plan that includes fruits, vegetables, protein foods, grains a dairy providing you with Vitamin A, B, D, K, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Zinc – essential nutrients for optimum oral health and overall health.

Winter foods you can be eating are:

• Home-made soups
• Citric fruits
• Porridge
• Fish and eggs
• Root Vegetables
• Warm milk
• Cauliflower, broccoli and brussels sprouts
• Cheese and nuts

Regular dental check ups with the friendly Local Dentists at John Street Dental will enable your oral health to be monitored closely.  Call John Street Dental today on 3284 4281 or Book Online