Nutrition Guide for Seniors

As a senior, you probably hear about all of the reasons to have a healthy and balanced diet, but did you know that tooth loss prevention is one of them? Well, it’s true! Having a healthy and balanced diet can help you maintain a strong, functional, and natural smile throughout your life without having to worry about tooth loss. To help you with your diet, our The Dental Office of Encino team recommends doing the following things:

• Eat the right foods: The best foods to eat as a senior are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins, like chicken, turkey, and fish.
• Consume the right beverages: Please limit your alcohol intake as much as possible. Alcohol tends to irritate the sensitive lining in the mouth and it also increases your risk of developing oral cancer. In addition, please stay clear from the sugary drinks. They can create tooth decay and lead to obesity.
• Get enough calcium: It is recommended to get about 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day, which is about 3 cups. This is important because it prevents tooth and bone loss as well as osteoporosis. You can get your calcium each day by eating cheese, yogurt, broccoli, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard and by drinking low-fat dairy milk.