Give Thanks for Good Foods!

There are certain foods that can help you maintain good dental health. Not only are these food choices good for your teeth but they are also healthy choices for your body. Many of these will show up on the appetizer trays at your next holiday party or football get together!

Oranges and Kiwis

These fruits can pack a holiday punch on the table and in your mouth! With Vitamin C as a big part of these fruit, Kiwis and Oranges strengthen the collagen in your gums — fighting periodontal disease.

 

Just section an orange while you make a holiday display like the one pictured, or simmer some on the stove afterwards with some cinnamon and a clove for a great holiday potpourri!

      Celery

It seems like a bland food but it is good for your teeth and gums – it is celery. Why? The extra chewy nature of this vegetable causes our mouth to produce additional amounts of saliva, which helps to neutralize the cavity causing bacteria in our mouth. Although some may think it doesn’t have much taste, the texture of this vegetable is abrasive which cleans our gums and teeth while eating it. A modest dip of ranch or smear of peanut butter is OK.

       Onions

Although strong smelling, this vegetable contains antibacterial sulfur compounds that are found to rid different types of bacteria. The benefits of this veggie are best when eaten raw.

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        Cheese     

 A popular food for everyone, cheese is low in carbohydrates and includes calcium and phosphate which help balance the PH level in your mouth. The extra saliva your mouth makes while you chew cheese is also beneficial. Saliva can help protect and rebuild your tooth enamel, strengthening them from the outside.

 

 

·         Making wise decisions in choosing food will help you maintain a healthy smile and healthy body for years to come. Make an appointment with Dr. Mary Dooley at Total Care Dentistry to be sure you get your teeth cleaned at least twice a year to have them professionally examined and cleaned!