The week of Thanksgiving serves as a time for families to commence their holiday travel plans and start enjoying the spirit of the season. Vegetables, starches, and deliciously sweet treats will fill the tops of tables throughout Lake Orion. Many people might not focus on their dental health during the holidays, but this season should act as a time to turn things around. A recent study from the University of Rochester details how cranberries could benefit tooth health. Your Lake Orion family dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, discusses how cranberries are good for teeth.
Study Hard for Cranberries
A food scientist/ microbiologist recently focused his studies on how cranberries impact tooth health. The research showed that a compound within cranberries can limit the harmful effects of oral bacteria called Streptococcus mutans. These bacteria attack tooth enamel by producing acids after feeding on sugars and starches. Plenty of Thanksgiving tables will feature a plethora of starchy foods and sugary desserts.
The cranberry compound also showed evidence of limiting plaque growth. Plaque is the clear, sticky substance that forms on the surface of teeth. S. mutans wait and hide in plaque before launching their enamel destructing assaults. This scientist hopes to one day extract the cranberry compound and infuse the tooth-benefitting elements into mouthwash, toothpaste, and throat lozenges.
Cranberry Sugar
Although cranberries could eventual flavor toothpastes and mouthwash, don’t go grab every cranberry product on grocery store shelves. Most of the products currently available with cranberry flavorings feature a large amount of added sugar. Additionally, many people enjoy eating dried cranberries which contain added sugar and can stick between teeth. One of the best ways to promote dental health involves a commitment to oral hygiene. Maintaining six-month checkups also serves as an effective means of detecting cavities early and preventing further tooth decay.
Schedule Your Lake Orion Dental Visit
At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we can provide you with comprehensive dental care for the whole family. Contact our Lake Orion dentist office by calling (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment today. We proudly serve families from Lake Orion, Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, the 48360 zip code, as well as many other areas in Michigan.
