What to Put in Your Plate during Holiday Gatherings to Prevent Dental Problems

Christmas is coming. The city has never been as beautiful with lights and lanterns clothing the homes, exchanging of gifts, and inviting your loved ones for celebration. Christmas gatherings will never be complete without good foods and drinks, and everyone’s guilty of saving tummy space, for several Christmas gatherings mean several plates and glasses for eating and drinking.

However, such foods and beverages now contain ingredients that are not that organic, so choosing what to intake can affect your health, specifically your dental health. So before the year ends, keep in mind that it’s never too late to take care of your dental health while indulging in the holiday’s mouthful pleasures.

Hello Goody, Goodbye Smiley

Eating a lot, without knowing what’s in it, usually causes the dental problems of most people. Tooth decay isn’t only for children, and gum disease isn’t just for adults either.

All sugary foods can cause tooth decay. Sucrose, fructose, maltose and glucose are present mostly in the foods such as candies, cookies and pastries as well as drinks like sugar-filled sodas and sweetened drinks. Starchy and sugary foods cause the build-up of plaques – the sticky bacteria that covers the surface of your teeth which can produce toxins and break down the enamel and then becomes havoc in your mouth.

Lack of certain nutrients causes the gum tissues to be weak from infections. With the intake of acidic foods and beverages, expect to have severe gum disease and smile without any teeth. To be aware of the foods that look too nice but causes bad dental health, here are some that should be avoided in every gathering:

• Sugary sweets. Candies, cacao, caramels and the like will create plaques.
• Starchy foods. Some breads and chips get stuck between your teeth.
• Soft drinks and citrus drinks. Added sugars and citric acids can cause gum erosion.
• Alcohol. Beverages of this kind cause your mouth to dry out, failing to produce saliva, which cancels out acids.

During and After Meal Regimen

During meals on gatherings, be mindful of what to put in your plate. Here are tips to keep your tummy and teeth happy:

• Eat those sugary and starchy foods with meals. These snacks like crackers, chips and cookies must be eaten with your meals, instead of by themselves. You produce more saliva during meals and rinse away acid and particles from your mouth.
• Eat foods from a variety of its major groups, such as:
  • Whole grains
  • Dry beans, peas and the like
  • Lean meats
  • Fluoride-rich foods and drinks like juice with no added sugar, soups cereals, and sea foods.
  • Dairy products like cheese, milk and yogurt. The calcium and phosphates put back the minerals to your teeth.
  • Teas. Green and black teas prevent the plaque bacteria through polyphenols as well as produce fluoride.
  • Fruits and vegetables rich in fiber. It stimulates saliva and prevents cavities and gum diseases.

• Limit eating snacks in-between meals. It has been said to eat snacks with your meals. But if you crave for a snack just by itself, grab something nutritious.

Being cautious about what to intake not only ends during every meal. The after meal also plays a big role on how to take care of your teeth:

• Drink lots of water. Water contains fluoride that prevents tooth decay and keeps the saliva flowing. Diluted sugar-free drinks are the best alternative to water.
• Chew sugarless gum. It generates saliva to avoid acids that damage your teeth.
• Brush your teeth with soft brush. This simple and common way of cleaning your teeth must not be disregard every after meal.

Diets which lack nutrients and have more sugars and acids are clear evidence of how people suffer from dental health problems. Other health problems from eating disorders like heart disease, obesity, diabetes and hypertension is so much related to dental health problems. If you’re still not sure if your diet is enough to get through the holidays, ask your dentist and you’ll think before you eat and drink.