Thinking of throwing a party? The next time you are in charge of food, keep in mind these tooth-friendly tips:
The Right Crunch: Crunchy and starchy foods like potato chips are a lovely treat, but they can create damage. Instead, attempt serving crunchy fruits and vegetables like pears, apples, and grapes for a fruit tray, and a veggie tray full of celery, carrots, and raw broccoli.
Cheese, Please!: Dairy products like thick slices of cheddar on a burger are packed with calcium and phosphorous. These will strengthen and support tooth enamel. If you use cheese, particularly at an outdoor party, be sure to follow food safety temperature rules to stay away from getting sick.
Go Seedless: Getting seeds stuck in your teeth can be annoying and can even cause dental emergencies like cracked teeth or damaged enamel. Serve buns that don’t have sesame seeds if you can, and try to avoid fruits like blackberries, raspberries, or seeded watermelon.
Gum Over Mints: At a party, it is frequent for guests to seek something to refresh their breath. Instead of mints, try a tray of sugarless gum! If guests chew sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal inspires saliva production – your body’s first defense against cavity-causing bacteria. Choose gum with the ADA Seal of Acceptance to make sure you are getting a quality product to help clean teeth.
For other mouth healthy tips, call Smiles Unlimited at 925.344.5757. Dr. Rakhi Jani and our dental team are here to help, and will be excited to see you at your next appointment!