Enjoy the Holidays While Protecting Your Oral Health

By Steven Barefoot, DDS  

Your oral health influences what you eat, and what you eat influences your oral health, says the American Dental Association (ADA). That’s always true, including during the holiday season.  

To enjoy celebrating while also keeping your teeth and gums healthy, continue daily dental hygiene and limit snacks between meals. The ADA also advises drinking plenty of water to protect your teeth and gums and eating a variety of foods, including: 

• whole grains
• fruit
• vegetables
• low-fat and fat-free dairy food
• lean protein (lean meat, skinless poultry and fish, plus beans and peas) 

If you enjoy pumpkin spice and chai flavors, green and black teas contain polyphenols that either kill or hold back bacteria, says the University of Rochester Medical Center.

When trying new recipes, steer away from those with added sugars. Added sugars inside your mouth break down into acid, and that makes it easier for cavities to form.

Healthy Sides and Desserts for the Holidays 

The recipes below use affordable, good-for-you ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen. These dishes create a festive table and are also low in added sugar, which is important to prevent cavities.

Side dishes from MyPlate:

• Spicy Carrots and Squash
• Maple Sweet Potatoes
• Brown Rice Pilaf with Sage, Walnuts and Dried Fruit

Side dishes and desserts from the American Heart Association:

• Acorn Squash Wedges with Walnuts
• Southern Cornbread
• Baked Sweet Potatoes and Apples
• Honey and Spice Pears
• Steamed Pumpkin Bread
• Apple Bread Pudding  

When the new year rolls around, remember to schedule your dental check-ups. And no matter what time of year, check the Nutrition Facts labels on food packages for added sugars. The lower the number of grams, the better!