Now that winter is over, you’re likely gearing up for all sorts of spring-related fun. Maybe you plan to have backyard picnics, start a garden, go on hikes, etc. Even so, don’t forget a key springtime rule of oral health amidst your excitement: Beware the foods of March! This month is filled with holidays that feature smile-unfriendly meals, which you’d do well to hold back from. If you’d like further details, hear more from your Nashville dentist in the summary below.
March Foods to Limit or Avoid
Over the coming days, you should protect your grin by limiting (or avoiding) the following March foods:
Peanut Butter
Today – March 1st – happens to be Peanut Butter Lovers Day, a time for everyone to celebrate the titular nutty paste. However, the PB in a PB&J isn’t exactly a good thing for oral health. Most brands of peanut butter contain lots of sugar, which attracts harmful bacteria that cause cavities. Even worse is that the spread is sticky, so it clings to teeth and has more chances to decay your enamel.
Pies of All Kinds
March 14th represents the first three digits of Pi, so it stands as National Pi Day. You shouldn’t overindulge in real pie once the day comes, though. This dessert almost always has a high sugar content, regardless of whether it’s a cherry, blueberry, or even pumpkin kind. Eating too much pie will thus increase your risk of cavities.
Green-Colored Goodies
Plenty of folks like to have green-colored beer, eggs, ice cream, and pastries on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th). Unfortunately, such goodies can do a real number on your smile after a while. Beer of any color is acidic, so it can erode your enamel when it stays on your teeth too long. Green food dyes also aren’t easy to remove, so they often leave your smile a garish green color for days afterward.
Syrupy Breakfast Foods
Pecan/Waffle Day is March 25th, and many honor it by having syrup-filled waffles (and similar dishes) as their breakfast. That said, the day has a downside for your teeth that’s worth mentioning. Syrupy breakfast foods can harm your enamel due to their high levels of sugar. If you want to enjoy March 25th, try spreading sugar-free jam on your waffles instead.
How Else Can You Protect Your Smile in March?
Even as you avoid the foods above, you can also protect your March smile with other tricks. Just remember to do the following:
- Clean Your Smile Well – When you brush twice daily and floss once daily, you keep harmful bacteria from gathering on your smile.
- Drink Plenty of Water – Water isn’t acidic, so drinking it removes debris from your mouth without harming your teeth or gums.
- Schedule a Dental Checkup – A dentist can give your grin a professional cleaning, ensuring your oral health stays strong.
When you beware the foods of March, you can enjoy this month without fearing for your smile. So, keep a lookout for the problematic foodstuffs.
About the Practice
Green Hills Dental Center is based in Nashville, TN. Led by Dr. James Kirby, our practice is always striving to offer (and embody) the excellent dentistry you deserve. We thus provide a wide range of smile-related services, from simple dental checkups to complex dental implants and more. Our team has everything needed to heal whatever ails your grin! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (615)-327-2123.