The holiday season is upon us! The next two months are ripe with parties, family gatherings, and other opportunities to indulge in winter and special occasion favorite foods. No one wants to give those up, and surprisingly, many of the foods you love are good for your teeth and body. Below are six things you can feel good about eating with the knowledge that they are a good option for your oral health.
Cheese
When you go to a party or holiday celebration and see a big cheese tray, feel free to indulge. Its calcium content will strengthen jaw bones and teeth, and its antibacterial elements and low pH levels can help make your mouth less susceptible to bacteria and plaque. You can feel great about having an extra slice or two of your favor variety and know that it’s good for your teeth.
Vegetables and Apples
Both of these fiber and vitamin filled natural treats act as a natural toothbrush between bites of other less than ideal foods. The fiber in celery, carrots, and broccoli, for example, work like a tiny scrubber, removing plaque and keeping your breath from getting rancid.
Turkey
This holiday main course bird is non-fermentable. Due to this fact, it battles cavity-causing reactions in the oral cavity. The protein and phosphorus in the meat pair up with calcium to strengthen teeth.
Nuts
Whether you’re cracking them yourself or grabbing a handful from a holiday spread bowl, nuts are a teeth helping favorite. Most types contain tons of nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and calcium for bone and teeth strength, and protein and fiber to combat plaque. Nuts and legumes also increase saliva flow, which washes away bacteria and keeps tartar from building up in hard to reach places. Eating them is a no brainer, but you may have a hard time deciding between chestnuts and almonds.
Sugar-free gum
If you’re looking for a great way to resist over eating or want to better your breathe between feasts, sugar-free gum is a compact and convenient thing to have in an overnight bag or purse. Gum increases saliva to keep bacteria at bay, and also collects and removed plaque while making your breath more enjoyable for all that holiday socializing. Just make sure you’re still taking the time to brush teeth and floss each day. Gum isn’t a substitute for these important habits.
Deviled eggs
Deviled eggs in all their flavor mix-ups are one of my personal favorites during the holiday season. Similarly to cheese, egg yolks are especially excellent sources of calcium and vitamin D. The combination of these two strengthens your jaw bones and teeth.
Foods to Moderate during the Holiday
Just as the above holiday foods are best for your teeth, we’ve got a naughty list. It may be like pulling teeth to resist them, but at least try to eat or drink the items below in moderation. All of them are popular this time of year, and all contain damaging sugars or hard textures that can fracture teeth.
Candy Canes
Candy canes are a must on most Christmas trees or holiday occasions. But they have a two-fold threat on your teeth. Sucking on them prolongs sugar exposure to your teeth. Crunching them can crack teeth or lodge bits of the hard candy in tight places in the mouth and in between molar cusps, also causing prolonged sugar exposure.
Soda Pop
It’s easy to grab packs of sodas for holiday parties, but all that sugar and acid will equate to some serious tooth decay. If you must have it, make sure to drink just as much water to keep your body hydrated and your mouth rinsed.
Egg Nog
Oh, the beloved egg nog. It’s so scrumptious, so festive, and such a drink for your teeth. Whether you make it with alcohol or omit it, your teeth are going to get a nice bath of bacteria. A great way to enjoy this holiday favorite is to dilute it with non-fat milk in a 1:1 ratio. Then at least your teeth are getting calcium and other minerals to counteract egg nog’s high sugar content.
Chocolate
Many people are quick to grasp the concept that dark chocolate, the actual high percent cacao, contain nutrients that are good for your teeth. Unfortunately, most holiday chocolates contain more sugar than cacao. Bacteria love chocolate as much as you do and create plaque and —you guessed it — dental caries.
Dried Fruit
When you see the word fruit, most automatically assume it’s healthy. Unfortunately, the sticky textures of prunes, raisins, craisins and other dried fruit in stuffing’s and baked goods not only have sugars in them, but also stick to the teeth, subjecting them to prolonged exposure of sugars and ramping up plaque and decay.
Popcorn
While Popcorn may be a creative snack choice, it can be damaging to your teeth. Stray or unexpected kernels can crack teeth when they’re bitten. Even more dangerous are the thin pieces of kernel skin that get lodged between teeth. If not flossed out, they can cause bacteria buildup and eventually dental caries.
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