Many people prepare a turkey or ham for holiday meals. Fish often gets overlooked as a main dish, but it has many body and mouth benefits. As you plan your holidays, include a little fish in your dinner, and then visit Dr. Atherton to keep your smile healthy.
Health Benefits
- Nutrients: Fish is a low-fat source of protein. It is rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. In addition, fish is an excellent source of vitamin D, vitamin B2, and omega-3 fatty acids to help keep your heart and brain healthy.
- Heart Health: Omega-3 fatty acids help lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and improve other cardiovascular conditions. Fish can help prevent the accumulation of triglycerides and prevent blood clots.
- Aging: Fish can help keep your skin in a good, healthy condition. It can prevent wrinkles, sun damage, and delay the skin’s aging process. In addition, fish can improve vision by fighting age-related eye conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and dry-eye syndrome.
- Other health conditions: Omega-3s can help maintain strong mental focus and brain development. In addition, a diet high in omega-3 is linked to prevention of breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
Tooth Benefits
- Extraction pain: Fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve pain and encourage healing after an extraction. The anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling and tissue inflammation that can help your mouth feel better.
- Periodontal disease: The omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and repair gum tissue. When your gums become inflamed or infected, they can be tender or sore. Fish oil can help heal the irritation and ease the pain.
- Healthy teeth: Fish oils are a great source of vitamin D, which is usually absorbed through sunlight. Vitamin D helps regulate your ability to fight infections. An increase in fish oil can help phosphorous and calcium in your bloodstream deliver nutrients to your teeth.
The best sources of omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, sardines, trout, herring, and mackerel. Whether you’ve had an extraction or not, increasing fish consumption in your diet can help keep your body healthy. If you’ve had a tooth extracted, ask Dr. Atherton about the use of fish oil to relieve your discomfort. Contact New River Valley Dental in Blacksburg, VA at (540) 951-2260 to schedule your appointment and for other ways to keep your mouth and body healthy.
