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Nothing is more attractive than a healthy smile. Do you remember the
television show “The Swan”? The series would start with a group of women who
were at a point in their lives when they could really use a makeover. Every aspect
of their appearance was improved, and the contestants were not allowed to see
themselves in a mirror until the dramatic unveiling of their new look.
Ultimately the woman who experienced the biggest transformation from ugly
duckling was voted “the swan.”
The “Swan” contestants underwent procedures from head to toe, including expensive hair treatments, nose jobs, and breast implants, not to mention new clothes
and makeup. But what often made the biggest difference of all was the cosmetic
dental work they received. Many got flawless white veneers for their teeth,
giving them sensational celebrity smiles. The great thing about a fabulous
smile is that it always looks terrific. If you pushed Julia Roberts into a
swimming pool, her hair would go flat, her makeup would run, and her clothes
would get soggy, but she would still be camera-ready with her million-dollar
smile. When you have a healthy grin, it’s with you from the moment you wake up
in the morning until your last good-night kiss.
At a cost upward of a thousand dollars per tooth, most of us can’t
afford perfect veneers, but there is a great deal we can do to take care of the
teeth nature gave us. In addition to proper oral care, it comes down to the
choices we make about the food we put in our mouths.
The
visible part of each tooth is called the crown. The crown is covered
with enamel, which is translucent and white. Even though enamel is the hardest
substance in the body, it can be eaten away by decay. The stronger your
enamel is, the more resistant it is.
The root
of the tooth is below the gum line. It makes up about two-thirds of the tooth
and holds the tooth in place because it is embedded in bone. Roots are covered
with cementum, which helps attach teeth to the alveolar bone (jawbone). Between
the cementum and the bony socket of the jawbone there is a cushioning layer
called the periodontal ligament.
Under the
enamel and cementum of each tooth is the dentin, which is yellow, porous, and
harder than bone. Sometimes the color of the dentin shows through the enamel, making
teeth look yellow. At the center of the tooth is the pulp, which contains blood
vessels and nerves. The pulp nourishes the dentin and is essential to the
health of the tooth.
The gums,
or gingiva, are the soft tissue around the base of the teeth. The tooth and
gums meet at the gum line. Sometimes debris builds up along the gum line, which
causes problems. Saliva is crucial to healthy teeth. Saliva maintains the correct
pH level in the mouth, and it contains trace minerals to help maintain the
enamel of your teeth.
THE BEAUTY DIET RX
What to Eat (and Drink) for a Sensational Smile
*Keep the inside of your mouth hydrated by drinking water or chewing gum.
*Drink lots of my beauty beverage, green tea.
*Eat plenty of the nutrients you need to
nourish your healthy, pink gums and to keep your teeth strong and bright:
calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids.
*Eat sticky carbohydrates with your main
meals, so the particles will get scrubbed off your teeth.
*Choose snacks that wash easily off the
teeth.
*Avoid sipping drinks throughout the day.
If you must drink something other than water or green tea, use a straw.
*To keep your teeth their whitest, avoid
foods that stain.
*Avoid foods that might break your teeth.
Smoking and Oral Health
There are a thousand reasons to stop smoking, and here
is another one: smoking puts you at greater risk of gum disease by interfering
with blood flow to the gums. Smoking also is a leading cause of tooth loss, because
it disrupts the normal function of gum tissue and the way bone and soft tissue
attach to your teeth.
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