Happy Halloween Everybody

Ghouls, Goblins and Candy….Oh my!  As you probably guessed sugar is the biggest cavity causer. Here are some healthy alternatives to the sugar bandits to keep your oral health and your whole self healthy.
Apples and berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries really do help to keep doctors away. Crunching apples (the constant chewing) helps saliva clean teeth and reduce plaque build up. Apples and berries also contain flavanoids that decrease bacterial growth by preventing them from sticking to surfaces in the mouth.
Crisp fiber rich vegetables like zucchini, carrots, celery, cucumber and lettuce help stimulate saliva flow, which is a natural defense against cavities, but also help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath. After 20 minutes after you eat, saliva also begins to neutralize the acids attacking your teeth.
Peanuts are one of the least cavity causing foods you can eat. Chewing peanuts help decrease plaque build-up and are also a good source of fiber.
The calcium, phosphates and vitamin D in cheese, milk and other dairy products are important minerals for the health of your teeth. Cheese contains casein, a type of protein that helps with calcium re-mineralization of enamel on the teeth and helps counteract the acids that cause tooth decay.  Also, plain kefir or yogurt combined with naturally sweet fresh fruit loaded with fiber acts like a natural toothbrush so sugars don’t stick. Kefir is also naturally rich in protein and a good source of magnesium, riboflavin, folate and B12.
Cocoa powder, not your sugary chocolate “Halloween” bar, contain polyphenols.  These plant nutrients have the ability to fight cavity causing bacteria which reduce the formation of acid from Streptococcus and S. sanguinis bacteria, which produce caustic acid that poke holes in your teeth.
Green and BlackTea (unsweetened, of course) contain compounds such as flavanols that have been shown to diminish the growth of harmful bacteria thereby reducing cavities and gum inflammation.  Additionally, tea leaves contain fluoride, which helps strengthen the mineral composition of teeth.
Always keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water. Saliva protects both hard and soft oral tissues. If you have a dry mouth, supplement your diet with sugarless candy or gum to stimulate saliva.
So remember, trick or treat – floss those teeth – give me something healthy to eat!
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