The holidays are officially here, and that means lots of tasty treats for you to enjoy. However, your dentist explains that some sweets and treats should be on your very limited list.
You may think that the dried fruit platter that your boss gave you to enjoy over the holidays is healthy. However, dates, figs, apricots, and dried mangos are full of sugar. Snack on dried fruit all day and you are literally eating away the enamel on your teeth.
Everyone knows that it is wise to limit your sugar take even during the holidays, but according to Web MD, there are some things that you can enjoy that won’t damage your teeth and gums.
You can improve your saliva production by eating cheese as it helps to lower tooth decay. Your saliva also helps to keep the enamel on your teeth in good shape as well. Cheese is loaded with calcium, which will also keep your teeth healthy and strong. If that isn’t enough, cheese lowers your pH balance helping prevent dental caries.
Your waistline isn’t the only thing that will benefit if you steer clear of the sweet and sugary food items. Vegetables such as broccoli and kale are loaded with fiber and can help increase saliva production that can help prevent cavities. Broccoli also has vitamin A, which will help the enamel on your teeth stay strong. Carrots are another great vegetable to enjoy for that extra vitamin A, and don’t forget the celery, which your dentist explains is Mother Nature’s dental floss.
Snacking on nuts instead of sweet treats during the holidays will really help keep your teeth and gums healthy as nuts are loaded with healthy fatty acids that can prevent gum disease such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. Just be sure to use the nutcracker and not your teeth to crack them open.
If you can’t resist and do indulge in foods that aren’t so great for your teeth, enjoy at mealtime instead of snacking all day long and be sure to brush afterwards as this will help limit the damage to your teeth and gums.
Make sure that you practice good oral hygiene habits by brushing and flossing and avoiding foods that could be detrimental to your teeth, and don’t forget to schedule regular checkups with your dentist after the holidays.