The holidays are upon us once again, and for many people, this means it’s time to shop for presents, go on holiday trips, and most of all, it’s time to eat! While you may be concerned about your waistline, you should also keep your dental health in mind during your holiday celebrations. Here are some foods you should definitely reach for at the holiday dinner table.
Gingerbread
While pies and treats are delicious, they are often loaded with sugar, which could quickly spell trouble for your teeth. If you still want to indulge, head for the gingerbread. It contains much less sugar than the other holiday treats and is still delicious.
Turkey
The classic entree of holiday dinners, turkey meat is lean and healthy and is loaded with protein, which helps your body rebuild. It also contains phosphorus, which, much like calcium, promotes strong teeth.
Nuts
Almonds, walnuts and cashews, staples of the holiday nut tray, all contain several healthy vitamins and nutrients, such as magnesium, iron and calcium, which help keep your teeth strong. Crunchy foods, like nuts and firm vegetables also promote the production of saliva in the mouth when you chew on them, which washes away the bacteria and acids on your teeth.
If there’s no way to avoid the sweet treats completely, try eating them at meal times instead of snacking on them throughout the day. This will minimize the continual acid attacks that your teeth must continually recover from. Also, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterwards to help clear out the acid. Another trick is to chew on sugar-free gum, which also helps your mouth produce more saliva. Some are even more beneficial, because they’re sweetened with xylitol, a natural sugar substitute that helps fight tooth decay.
Follow these tips to have a healthy holiday season, and from our family to yours, Happy Holidays!
Holiday Foods that Promote Dental Health
