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.