The arrival of the winter months brings an abundance of food, festive drinks and busy days celebrating with loved ones. While indulging in winter festivities, it’s important to stay on top of your healthy habits.
“The foods and beverages we put into our bodies has a big impact on our health. What most people might lose sight of is that what we eat and drink directly impacts our oral health, which is connected to our overall health! It’s important to be aware of ingredients in foods and beverages that can cause problems including tooth decay. Consider healthier options during the holidays that can actually help prevent these serious issues,” says Carolyn Brown, an integrative nutritionist.
Brown offers healthy tips and tricks for keeping your health in check during the colder months:
1) Reconsider your food choices
Eating lots of refined sugar and white carbs, from pastas and crackers to sodas, can increase the acidity in your mouth. Cutting back on these foods while loading up on good-for-you foods, such as olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds, and vegetables, helps contribute to a healthier mouth and prevent illness.
2) Equip yourself with the right oral care essentials
Make sure you’re equipped with the right oral care essentials no matter what you eat, especially when you’re treating yourself to carbohydrates, desserts or sugary drinks. Apart from a good brush and proper technique, your toothpaste is a vital part of maintaining a healthy mouth. I recommend using ARM & HAMMER Toothpastes as they are powered by natural ingredient baking soda, which helps neutralize plaque acids in your mouth that form continuously after eating and drinking.
3) Opt for a hostess gift that’s not red wine
When considering getting your hostess a gift for a holiday party, you might automatically think of red wine. However, this common gift, especially during the holidays, is actually bad for teeth as the strong pigments in red wine are instant stain-makers. Instead of red wine, grab a fruit platter with fresh strawberries, oranges and apple slices as these foods are known to help naturally whiten teeth. A cheese plate is also a great option since the calcium in the dairy helps strengthen teeth and gums, and the casein, a milk protein found in cheese, has been shown to reduce the loss of minerals from tooth enamel.
4) Be careful of health trends
While you may be following the latest health trends and rituals out there — such as drinking lemon water with apple cider vinegar to aid digestion — some of these trends promote the consumption of acidic foods and drinks that can impact your oral health, including the formation of plaque acids. Digestion starts in your mouth when you release a chemical called amylase to start breaking down carbs and sugar as soon as you start chewing. Do your research, consult a health professional and make smart decisions to try out trends based on what is right for you.
5) Remember — it’s all connected
It’s amazing how our bodies are connected — and people often forget that oral health is a huge sign of overall health and well-being. If you don’t take care of your mouth, it can lead to other serious issues, such as impacting your cardiovascular health and other illnesses and diseases.
Follow these tips to prioritize your health this winter. Visit armandhammer.com for more information.
