If you’re anything like us, the holidays haven’t put you off enjoying a delicious sweet treat. But we also know that it can be hard, especially after the holiday season, to curb the cravings for something a little more unkind to your teeth. After enjoying copious amounts of eggnog, pecan pies, fruitcakes, and mince pies, let’s face it, an apple’s just not going to cut it!

So we want to offer a “spicing up” of healthy sweet treats that not only do limited or no damage to your teeth but taste absolutely delicious! 

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate, which we’ve written a whole article about, by the way, is such a hit with your teeth and gums that we had to make it top of our list. 

Dark chocolate contains a ton of antioxidants that benefit your teeth and gums:

– tannins: help prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth
– polyphenols: inhibit the growth of harmful microbes that cause tooth decay
– flavonoids: potent antioxidants that help prevent infection and disease.

Always remember to go for the highest percentage cacao content as possible (at least 70%), with less than 6-8 grams of sugar per serving. And go for the raw, organic option if possible, which will ensure more antioxidants are left intact.

The recommended healthy amount of dark chocolate is 1-2 ounces or 30-60g per day. 

Read: Dark Chocolate: A Delicious Remedy For Gum Disease

Berries and yogurt

Berries, such as blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries, offer excellent nutrition for your oral and overall health as they are rich in antioxidants and help your body to absorb essential nutrients and minerals. 

So for a tasty sweet treat, sprinkle a few of your favorite berries on top of a big dollop of natural yogurt, which is a fantastic probiotic, with a drizzle of raw honey. Oh, and don’t forget to give your nutrient-rich dessert a sprinkling of cinnamon – a great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, not to mention, tastes delicious.

We don’t know about you but our mouths are slightly watering…

Citrus fruits

There is a bit of controversy as to whether citrus fruits are good for your teeth and gums. While we would agree that citrus fruits are rather acidic, which can cause tooth enamel to weaken, there are some fruits in the citrus category that are a lot less acidic than others. For example, lemon and limes are the most acidic, whereas oranges and kiwis are the least acidic. 

So feel free to enjoy a fruit bowl with oranges, kiwis and a few segments of grapefruits for a zesty afternoon pick me up. They are a great source of vitamin C, which helps to absorb nutrients into your gums, strengthen the blood vessels and connective tissue, and reduce inflammation.

Interesting fact: it’s recommended to eat cheese after you eat fruit. This helps to raise the pH levels in your mouth and increase saliva production, which helps to neutralize harmful acids.

Read: The Vitamin That Makes You Look 10 Years Younger

Sliced apple dipped in natural, sugar-free peanut butter

You know we said an apple’s not going to cut it? Well, sliced apple dipped in peanut butter definitely will! It really is a delicious combination. 

Chewing the fibrous texture of a crunchy apple can stimulate your gums, reduce cavity-causing bacteria, and increase saliva flow. Like other crunchy veggies, apples can also help remove plaque trapped between your teeth. There’s a reason why they’re known as “Nature’s Toothbrush”, you know.

Remember to opt for a natural peanut butter brand that is low in sugar and contains no hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Now slice your apple and dip, dip away!

Nuts covered in dark chocolate 

These naturally sweet, crunchy snacks contain fiber and protein that actually help to break down some of the biofilms on your teeth. They are packed with tons of important elements like calcium and phosphorus, which both play a vital role in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth. 

If you’re feeling extra indulgent, then try and find dark chocolate covered nuts (the low sugar healthy kind as mentioned above). 

HEALTHY MOUTH = HAPPY YOU

A healthy mouth is a happy mouth. A healthy balance of fruit and vegetables, eggs, fish, and full-fat dairy, as well as plenty of fresh air and exercise, is what we believe to be the best mix when it comes to maintaining optimal oral and overall health, and emotional well-being. Being aware of what we eat and how we are looking after our bodies should be our top priority. But let’s be honest, every now and again, we’re going to stroll down the chocolate and candy aisle at the grocery store and choose our favorite cake. Indulging in your favorite dessert every now and again is fine, just remember the effects sugar has on your teeth and always make sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss every day. 

Looking for an extra way to care for your teeth and gums after eating something sweet? Good-Gums all-natural tooth & gum powder is a nutrient-rich formula that helps to soften plaque, soothe sore gums, calm irritation, and neutralize harmful acids.

Our all-natural tooth and gum powder is 100% natural and contains no toxic or artificial ingredients that interfere with natural healing so your teeth and gums can soothe, strengthen, and heal themselves naturally.

To try Good-Gums 2-in-1 tooth & gum powder & mouthwash please click here. 

Remember, what’s good for your gums is good for you!