Spring not only means warmer weather, but the celebration of seasonal holidays. This means gathering with loved ones over good food and traditions. While it might seem difficult to make food choices that are good for your teeth during the Easter holiday at the end of March, the Eid holiday at the beginning of April, and the Passover holiday at the end of April, it is possible.
Tips for Easter Celebrations
Like many holidays, Easter is a time many people indulge in sweets. This includes popular holiday treats like caramel eggs, jelly beans, and Easter-themed marshmallows. Although festive, these candies contain high amounts of sugar and stick to the surface of your teeth longer than other foods. The bacteria in your mouth feeds off this sugar, which promotes tooth decay.
So how can you enjoy the holiday while practicing good oral health habits? Follow these tips.
Opt for healthier Easter candy – opt for healthier treat options like hollow chocolate eggs or bunnies.
Dark chocolate is a healthier choice than milk chocolate because it has less sugar. It also contains phosphorous, which helps build strong tooth enamel. If you are going to indulge in chocolate, be sure to eat it with meals. The extra saliva you produce will help rinse away the particles that adhere to your teeth. Swishing your mouth with plain water following a meal or snack containing sugar will also help remove food particles and counteract the plaque acids that attack tooth enamel. And remember that moderation is key.
Put a twist on traditional Easter treats – make your own Easter eggs using fruit. If you have little ones, this is a particularly fun activity. Pears are a great source of vitamin C which keep your gums healthy and apples and bananas are a great source of fiber. Better yet, you can color your own Easter eggs using actual eggs. This is the healthiest option. Eggs are high in protein and are one of the best sources of phosphorous, a mineral that helps build tooth enamel.
(Source: My Kids Lick the Bowl)
Need some inspiration to make your own Easter eggs using fruit? Check out this recipe. If you want to dye your own Easter eggs, follow this guide.
Serve a protein for Easter dinner – dishes like a roast chicken and salmon are great choices for Easter dinner. This is because they are protein-rich and are a great source of phosphorous.
To add flavor to your salmon, you can add an almond crust and serve with spinach. Almonds and spinach are both a great source of calcium. You can add carrots and broccoli to round out your roast chicken – both vegetables are high in fiber.
Tips for Eid al-Fitr Celebrations
Eid al-Fitr is a time to celebrate the end of Ramadan fasting, so it’s natural that people who celebrate want to enjoy a feast worthy of the occasion. While nougat and stuffed dates are a big part of Eid, they are not the most tooth-friendly food options. This is because they are sticky and can easily get stuck in the pits of your teeth. The plaque acids they produce can lead to tooth decay. If you do eat them, remember to swish your mouth with plain water after. This will help remove food particles and counteract the plaque acids that attack tooth enamel. Luckily, there are ways to enjoy the holiday while also keeping your oral health in mind. Here are some recommendations.
Serve savory desserts – savory desserts like navy bean pie and sesame seed or almond halva are easier on your teeth than mithai.
Navy bean pie is made primarily of navy beans. Navy beans are an excellent source of calcium, a mineral that helps build strong tooth enamel. Sesame seeds help scrub away plaque from your teeth as you chew and they’re also calcium-rich. So are almonds.
Enjoy baklava in moderation – for most people that celebrate Eid, baklava is an essential part of festivities. Rather than avoiding this dessert all together, opt for moderation. Although baklava is packed with chopped nuts like almonds and pistachios, which are high in phosphorous, it’s still a pastry with a high sugar content.
Consider eating baklava with a meal. The extra saliva you produce will help wash away remaining food particles that adhere to your teeth. Swishing your mouth with plain water following a meal or snack containing sugar will also help remove food particles and counteract the plaque acids that attack tooth enamel.
Incorporate greens into your feast – it’s only natural wanting to indulge after a long fast. But there is a way to maintain balance. Along with favorites like baklava, incorporate green dishes like tabbouleh and fattoush with dukkah into your celebrations. The leafy greens in these dishes are highly beneficial for your teeth. Leafy greens contain high amounts of nutrients that benefit your teeth and gums.
Need more ideas for your Eid feast, check out these healthy recipes for some ideas.
Tips for Passover Celebrations
Anyone who celebrates Passover knows that Seder isn’t complete without matzah. However, this bread can do serious damage to your teeth. This cracker-like bread is high in carbohydrates, and chewing it turns those carbohydrates into sugars that adhere to your teeth. Particles from this bread can also get stuck in the pits of your teeth. This promotes tooth decay. To minimize the harm to your teeth, be sure to drink plenty of water when eating this bread. This beverage helps clean your mouth by washing away leftover food and residue.
Along with matzah, red wine or grape juice is a big part of the Seder. However, grape juice is high in sugars and red wine is an acidic beverage that can wear down tooth enamel. Weakened tooth enamel puts you at a higher risk for tooth decay. Drinking water throughout your Seder dinner will allow you to enjoy the festivities while protecting your teeth and gums. And be sure to wait at least 30 minutes before you brush and floss afterwards.
To learn more on how matzah can affect your teeth, check out this article.
