When most people think of foods
that can harm your teeth, they think of candy. However, there are a lot of other
foods to avoid, unfortunately,
many of them are popular during the holidays. We want you to be aware of your
choices.
Sugar: Sugar,
of course, is the #1 culprit in causing cavities. The worst offenders are
sticky foods like lollipops, hard candies, and gum drops. They give you a
double whammy. Not only are they high in sugar, but they also stick to your
teeth for a long time after you eat. Surprisingly chocolate is less likely to
be a culprit because it binds with fat molecules and doesn’t stick to teeth as
well as other candies. If you do eat a lot of sugary foods, try to do so at
mealtimes when increased saliva can wash sugar off teeth.
Starches: Bread
and potatoes are very popular parts of traditional holiday meals. But, the
refined flour in white bread and the starch in potatoes are essentially sugars
and so will affect your teeth the same way refined sugar does. So cut back on
those rolls, mashed potatoes, holiday cookies, and potato chips.
Alcohol: An
occasional drink at a holiday party is okay. But excess alcohol wears away
tooth enamel, discoloring teeth and making them vulnerable to cavities.
The good news is there are a lot of foods that are healthy for
your teeth as well. In general most
fruits and vegetables help strengthen your teeth – as do a lot of foods
containing protein.
Fruits and Vegetables: Any fruit or veggie with a lot of fiber will
help out. Onions, celery, kiwis, parsley, and apples are all singled out by
experts as being particularly good for your teeth. So look for holiday recipes
that include these foods.
Dairy Products: In
general cheese, yogurt, milk, and other dairy products (without added sugar),
are good choices for the teeth. They help generate saliva which washes sugars
off the teeth and they contain calcium, which strengthens them.
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