Dental and vision care are vital to your overall health, so it’s important to do what you can to take care of both. While regular exams are needed to keep your teeth and eyes strong, everyday maintenance can also help.
Did you know that eating certain foods can benefit both your teeth and eyes? Here are three to start incorporating into your diet.
For exams and more, AAA members living in Massachusetts can take advantage of exclusive savings on both dental and vision insurance, with Altus Dental and Altus Vision™, for individuals and families.
Go Green
Dark leafy greens are packed with vitamins and minerals that are good for your entire body, including your mouth and eyes. They contain calcium and folic acid that keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong. Plus, chewing on crunchy leafy greens helps clean your teeth as you eat.
Dark leafy greens also help reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, as they are rich in vitamins C and E, as well as the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.
Don’t Skip Meat
Meat and fatty fish provide nutrients that boost oral and eye health, provided you incorporate the right meat and fish into your diet.
Meat contains protein and phosphorus, which help build strong teeth. Chewing meat also produces saliva, which can help wash away acids that harm your teeth. Beef is high in zinc, which protects the retina and promotes long-term eye health. Oysters are another good source of zinc, so don’t be afraid to order the surf and turf for dinner.
If you aren’t a fan of oysters, choosing a fatty fish such as salmon or tuna can benefit both teeth and eyes. They contain high levels of phosphorus, which protects tooth enamel, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids that promote retinal health.
Go Nuts
Nuts are a powerhouse for vitamins and minerals that keep the whole body healthy – and that extends to your mouth and eyes. For instance, almonds, Brazil nuts and cashews contain calcium and magnesium that help fight bacteria that cause tooth decay. Also high in calcium, peanuts have vitamin D, which promotes healthy teeth and gums. And chewing nuts stimulates saliva, which helps cleanse the mouth.
Walnuts have Omega-3s, zinc and Vitamin E that fight inflammation in the eyes and age-related damage. Other nuts rich in Vitamin E that support eye health include peanuts, hazelnuts and cashews.
Eating healthy foods can support healthy teeth and eyes, but diet alone isn’t enough. It’s also important to have regular dental checkups and cleanings and eye exams to monitor for changes that indicate disease not only in those organs, but throughout your body.
AAA Northeast members living in Massachusetts can utilize exclusive savings on dental and vision insurance with Altus Dental and Altus Vision™ to get routine screenings for themselves and their families.
With Altus Dental, AAA Northeast members living in Massachusetts can get quality coverage at more than 10,000 locations locally. In partnership with VSP® Vision Care, Altus Vision™ offers savings on exams, glasses, contacts and much more.
Explore the benefits and enroll today.
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