Red, White, & Blue… for Your Teeth!

Red, White, & Blue… for Your Teeth!

Jul 20, 2021

With Independence Day celebrations kicking off the month of July, we felt inspired by all the patriotic colors!  Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods promotes healthy gums and teeth, and incorporating a little red, white, and blue into your diet is a fun way to support your oral health!  We love sharing the ways in which a healthy diet is connected to a healthy mouth!  Here are some foods that will help you celebrate America and celebrate oral health.

RED

What food immediately comes to mind when you think of red and summertime?  Strawberries!  These juicy delights are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants which support tissue growth and repair all over your body, including your mouth.  Vitamin C also helps maintain the strength and structure of the dentin in your teeth.  Strawberries contain malic acid as well, which naturally whitens the teeth.  Load up your morning cereal and snack to your heart’s content with these summer beauties and your teeth will thank you!

WHITE

Get yourself to the dairy aisle and stock up on some cheese, milk, and yogurt for a snack that really packs an oral health punch!  Beyond calcium, which supports strong teeth and bones, these dairy products have additional benefits for your mouth.  Cheese contains casein, a protein that helps fortify tooth enamel.  Also, chewing cheese helps increase saliva production which washes away the cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth.  Meanwhile, drinking milk can lower the acid levels in your mouth, which in turn helps prevent tooth decay.  The probiotics in yogurt protect your mouth from cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath.  Sounds like a win, win, win!

BLUE

We’re going a little outside of the box for this color, and diving into the deep, blue ocean.  The bounty of the sea is a wonderful addition to a healthy diet.  Specifically, incorporating fish that are high in vitamin D is excellent for your oral health as they aid in calcium absorption.  Fish such as mackerel, sardines, and salmon are also great sources of Omega-3s which have been shown to reduce gum disease.  Holy mackerel!

 

Do you have any favorite red, white, and blue healthy snacks to share?  Give us a shout on Facebook or let us know at your next appointment!  We are here to support your oral health!

Happy Summer! 🙂

 

Pumpkins: Half Decoration, Half Superfood

Oct 31, 2013

Health benefits of pumpkins

Pumpkins have many health benefits, especially for your mouth and oral hygiene!

It’s hard to think of fall without imagining the colorful foliage, ripe apples, and the all-star autumn symbol—the pumpkin. From jack-o’-lanterns in October to pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, pumpkins are ubiquitous in our fall traditions. They adorn our doorsteps and are even spicing up our breads, beers, and lattes. What many people don’t know, though, are the healthful benefits that pumpkins can provide.

Pumpkin is a fantastic source of Vitamin A, with one serving (one cup mashed) providing 245% of your daily value and 19% of your daily Vitamin C. Vitamin A is a bone strength booster that will fortify your teeth and Vitamin C strengthens connective tissues like your gums, providing an effective one-two punch for your oral health.

The benefits of eating pumpkins don’t stop there. Just a quarter-cup of pumpkin seeds will get you almost half the daily value of magnesium, which benefits your blood pressure, aids in proper bone and tooth formation, and assists in a host of other physiological functions. An ounce of seeds will provide you with 2mg of zinc, which helps with your mood, sleep, immunity, eye and skin health, and more. Americans are generally deficient in both of these minerals, but eating pumpkin seeds will help get you back on track!

Pumpkin puree and pumpkin seeds are rich in plant-based omega-3 fats, antioxidants, fiber, iron, and calcium. It can be very easy to work pumpkin into your diet, especially in the fall when they’re in high stock. To get the most out of pumpkin seeds, they should be eaten raw (and preferably sprouted). For an idea on how to utilize pumpkin puree, check out this super healthy Pumpkin Pie Parfait recipe.