Best & Worst Foods for your Teeth during the Holidays

    

The holidays are a time to give thanks, to be with the family, and to celebrate and eat good foods.  Holiday foods and eating can take a toll on the teeth.  While it is important to brush and floss, the choices of eating good foods and avoid eating bad foods are important for dental health.

Your Glendora Cosmetic Dentist has put together a list of Best and Worst Foods for teeth during the holidays:

                                 
  List of best foods & drinks for the teeth

·       Dairy Foods-milk, cheese and yogurt are great foods to eat.  They are low in sugar and high in protein and calcium, which help build and strengthen teeth.  Cheese boosts saliva production and lowers the risk of tooth decay.

·       Nuts-according to a 2010 study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, nuts contain healthy fatty acids that can help prevent gum disease.  Other benefits: protein rich and low in carbs.  They do not contribute to cavities because of their lack of sugars.

·       Vegetables-vegetables that are rich in fibers; such as broccoli, increases saliva production and provides protection against cavities.  Broccoli has the added benefit of containing vitamin A; keep tooth enamel strong.

·       Fruits-apples scrub away plaque and also freshens your breath.

·       Lean Protein-turkey, fish and eggs are phosphorous and protein rich.  They help to strengthen the teeth and protect, rebuild and strengthen tooth enamel.

·       Sugarless gum-chew sugarless gum after eating a meal can help to increase saliva flow and it rinses off the teeth.  Sugarless gum is a better alternative than candy.

·       Water-drink water helps to rinse the mouth and balance out the pH after eating.  Most tap water in the US contains fluoride and it reduces tooth decay.

                  List of Worst Holiday Foods For Your Smile

·       Hard candy-hard candies dissolve slowly in the mouth, exposing the teeth to bacteria forming sugars.  Candies like Jolly Ranchers, suckers and candy canes can chip the teeth and crack fillings and sealants. 

·       Chewy candy (caramel)-they are sticky and cling to teeth, giving bacteria more time to grow.  The bacteria feed on the sugar and break it down into acids that eat away the tooth enamel.

·       Sugary Baked Goods-Christmas cookies, brownies and fruit cakes have high amounts of sugar.  The bacteria feed on the sugar and break it down into acids and cause tooth decay.

·       Chocolate-milk chocolate has a lot of sugar.

·       Popcorn-they stick to the teeth and biting on popcorn kernels can crack the teeth or fillings.

·       Eggnog-it is loaded with fat and sugar.  Sugar adheres to the teeth for extended periods of time and cause tooth decay.

·       Sodas & Sports drinks-they are loaded with sugar and can damage tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay.

·       White wine-has a high acidic content that can erode the enamel, leaving them vulnerable to tooth decay.

For more information contact Dr. Anna Lee and her team today. 

End of Your Child’s Dental Visit

It is so important to visit your regular dentist, Dr. Anna Lee so she can help make sure there are no underlining problems with your child’s smile. That you child is not grinding their teeth or that broken or cracked teeth are properly taken care of. Once she has finished her exam, the care you need to take for your child’s smile is not over. Here are 6 things you should do after your child’s dental exam.

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                                                      Review and discuss the findings of the exam

    Learn how to clean your child’s teeth

     Receive advice of home care, oral hygiene, diet and use of toothpaste

    

 Know what to expect as your child grows and develops in the coming month

      

 Schedule a 6 months checkup and hygiene appointment

Reward the child a prize, stickers, crayons, key chains and age appropriate toys, for being such an excellent patient

For more information on how to keep your smile healthy or for other tips, contact Dr. Lee and her team.

Tips for a Positive Dental Visit for Your Child

Anxiety over your child’s dental visit can strike at any time. Your child may have had a bad experience previously, or they may have not been to the dentist in a really long time and it is causing you to wonder what will be found. No need to worry. Here are 4 tips from Dr. Anna Lee and her team in order to make sure your child has the best dental visit ever.

·       Schedule your child’s first dental visit by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts.

·       Schedule a morning appointment when the child is well rested and cooperative.

·       Stay positive!   Say positive things about going to the dentist. 

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             Make your child’s visit an enjoyable outing.  Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits early can lead to a lifetime of good dental health.

For more information on improving your dental health and other information, contact Dr. Lee and her team.