Nov 20, 2018
You are what you eat. This is particularly true for your teeth: when your diet is less than ideal so is the health of your mouth. As we enter this holiday season and have loads of goodies to feast upon, we wanted to share a list of foods and drinks that can benefit your teeth. Here are our top 5 foods and drinks to work into your diet in between all those candied yams and yummy pies.
- Apples
This fruit is a great snack and packed full of fiber. Fiber helps your mouth produce saliva, which helps rinse away cavity-causing bacteria. Also, the crisp texture of apples can stimulate your gums. Grab some apples to snack on while you bake that pumpkin pie!
- Green Tea
Green tea is full of health benefits and rich with catechins, a type of antioxidant, and polyphenols, a bacteria-fighting substance. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that people who consumed a cup of green tea each day saw a decrease in periodontal disease symptoms. Make yourself a cup of green tea when you wake up early to pop the turkey in the oven!
- Cheese
Do we need another reason to eat more cheese? Consuming calcium-rich dairy products is vital for maintaining good bone health and tooth enamel. Cheese also has an additional bonus–a study in the journal General Dentistry found that eating cheese raises the pH level in people’s mouths and thus lowered their risk of tooth decay. Plan a cheese courses after your holiday feast for the win!
- Almonds
These healthy nuts are a great source of protein, calcium, and other minerals, all of which are important for your overall well-being. They are low in sugar and carbohydrates so they don’t create a cavity haven in your mouth after you snack on them. Also, chewing nuts promotes saliva production in your mouth which lowers the risk for tooth decay. Add a handful of almonds to your salad for a wholesome crunch!
- Water
Water is the best beverage you can drink for your oral health. Drinking water after meals helps rinse your mouth of bacteria and neutralize the acidity in the mouth caused by foods to help prevent tooth decay and cavities. Drink up!
As we enter the holiday season and the end of the year, we are here to support you and your family in receiving the best oral care possible. We are truly grateful for your business! Remember to call us at 207.781.5900 to schedule your next appointment to keep your mouth happy and healthy.
Image courtesy of http://blog.hellofresh.com
Sep 30, 2013
Lucky you, you live in New England in the fall! Many of us take the change of seasons for granted, lamenting the fading daylight and dropping temperatures, but remember: there’s a reason tourist season doesn’t end in September! From ripening pumpkin patches to winding cornfield mazes, Maine’s natural beauty is reason alone to get out and enjoy the clear skies, changing leaves, and crisp autumn air. But, you should also consider the abundance of health benefits that you gain simply by getting outdoors, and one activity in particular has a number of benefits for your oral health!
What we are referring to, of course is an apple-picking expedition! This fall favorite will get you active outside and you will get to take home some delicious (and healthy!) fall produce. Not only do outdoor activities provide physical benefits, studies have shown that exposure to the foliage and open air can improve your concentration, elevate your mood, and promote stress relief. So, this fall, be healthy, have fun, and enjoy the weather while it lasts!
15 Benefits of Eating Apples
Autumn, also known as apple-picking season, is finally upon us, so we thought we’d take a moment to remind you just how healthy those delicious fruits are:
- Get whiter, healthier teeth – Munching on an apple increases salivation, which reduces tooth decay by lowering your mouth’s bacteria level.
- Avoid Alzheimer’s – Drinking apple juice can help keep Alzheimer’s at bay and fight the effects of aging on the brain.
- Protect against Parkinson’s – People who eat fruits and other high-fiber foods gain protection against Parkinson’s through antioxidants.
- Curb all sorts of cancers – Eating flavonol-rich apples can help reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by up to 23 percent, while compounds in apple peels have potent anti-growth activities against cancer cells in the liver, colon, and breast.
- Decrease your risk of diabetes – Women who eat at least one apple a day are 28 percent less likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes due to the soluble fiber in the fruit.
- Reduce cholesterol – The soluble fiber in apples binds with fats in the intestines, lowering cholesterol levels.
- Get a healthier heart – An extensive body of research has linked high soluble fiber intake with a slower buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque in your arteries.
- Prevent gallstones – Doctors recommend a diet rich in fiber to prevent gallstones, which are a product of high cholesterol levels.
- Beat diarrhea and constipation – Without getting too graphic, the fiber in apples can both absorb water from the colon when you’re constipated and absorb excess water from your stool to slow your bowels down.
- Neutralize irritable bowel syndrome – To control the symptoms of IBS, doctors recommend staying away from dairy and fatty foods while including a diet high in fiber.
- Avert hemorrhoids – Going hand-in-hand with the control of constipation, hemorrhoids can be avoided with a high fiber intake, which prevents too much straining in the bathroom.
- Control your weight – Foods that are high in fiber will fill you up quickly while keeping your caloric intake low.
- Detoxify your liver – Apples and other fruits are one of the best things you can eat to clear toxins out of your liver.
- Boost your immune system – Red apples contain the antioxidant Quercetin, which, studies have shown, can help boost and strengthen your immune system.
- Prevent cataracts – Long-term studies suggest that people whose diets contain an abundance of antioxidant-rich fruit like apples are 10 to 15 percent less likely to develop cataracts.
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/nutrition/15-health-benefits-of-eating-apples
