What Kinds of Holiday Foods Can Help Your Smile Stay Healthy?

Just because the holidays are upon us, that doesn’t mean we need to succumb to the sugary temptations all around us. In fact, while we are celebrating with friends, family, and attending office and other holiday parties, we can look for the tooth-friendly foods that might be offered. We would love to help your teeth emerge from the holidays unscathed, so you can continue to flash your healthy smile all year round.

Be on the lookout for tooth-friendly food when you are socializing and celebrating. It doesn’t have to be all about the sugar:

–One savory, satisfying, and healthy alternative is specialty cheeses. Cheese has calcium and a dairy protein called casein, which remineralizes tooth enamel, along with fluoride. This is so important because your tooth enamel is attacked by the acids released by oral bacteria after you indulge in sugary coffees, sodas, and of course, foods.

–Another alternative to sugary treats are raw vegetables and fruit, otherwise known as crudités. These are great for your teeth as the fiber in raw vegetables requires a strong chewing action to break down the food. This process stimulates saliva production. Saliva not only helps neutralize oral acids, but it also works to rinse away acid-causing bacteria. Great choices include fresh apples, carrots, and celery. Your smile will thank you!

–Nuts such as almonds, cashews, and Brazil nuts are another great sugar-free alternative and are ideal for snacking. When you chew them, you are activating the salivary glands and giving your teeth calcium and phosphorous which helps to remineralize tooth enamel.

As you can see, holiday fare can help keep your smile healthy if you know what to look for and what to offer your guests. If you have any concerns for Family Dentistry, please give us a call at 812-853-3313 today. Our dentists, Dr. Samuel Schmitz, and the rest of our team in Newburgh, Indiana, wish you a healthy, happy, holiday season!