When we think about eating our favorite foods, we smile. The familiar flavors of a family recipe or the yummy ingredients at our favorite restaurants make us feel happy. That’s because the foods we eat are deeply tied to our memories, and our culture and they’re important to nourishing our bodies and supporting oral and overall health.
In fact, the foods we eat don’t just make us smile, they help us keep a healthy smile. Diet and nutrition play a big role in developing strong teeth, keeping our gums free of inflammation and preventing cavities and mouth sores.
To help you cook up some dishes that are tasty and help keep your smile healthy, we partnered with NOAH to curate a collection of nearly two dozen free, mouth-healthy recipes. From snacks to drinks to main meals, these recipes are easy to make and come with tips from nutrition and dental experts.
Mouth-Healthy Ingredients
As you browse through the cookbook, which is divided into five sections—breakfast, main dishes, snacks, desserts and beverages—look for mouth-healthy icons on the bottom of each page. Each icon tells you why the recipe is good for your oral health, and they’re divided into six categories. The categories include:
- Low in sugar. Foods that contain less sugar help prevent tooth decay.
- Protein-rich. Lean proteins are a good source of phosphorous, which works with calcium to promote strong tooth enamel.
- Low in acid. Foods with too much acid can lead to the erosion of tooth enamel and tooth decay.
- Fiber-rich. Foods that require more chewing help clean the surface of the teeth by stimulating saliva flow.
- Calcium-rich. Calcium keeps your teeth strong and helps defend against cavities.
- Antioxidant-rich. Antioxidants including vitamins A, C, E and K help prevent plaque buildup and fight gum disease.
To help you visualize some of the recipes, we filmed a series of video tutorials to go along with the cookbook. The videos, available in English and Spanish are posted to our Delta Dental of Arizona YouTube playlist.
Ready to get cookin’? Download the cookbook to whip up something that tastes good and is good for you. And let us know which recipes you try!
Remember that it’s always important to talk with your doctor or dentist to see if you’re getting enough key vitamins and minerals from your diet to support a healthy mouth. They may recommend adding certain foods or supplements to your diet.
