Don’t Let Holiday Appetizers Bite Back! Consider These Tooth-Friendly Hors D’oeuvres

It can be hard to throw a fun holiday party without tasty snacks, but many seasonal favorites such as candy canes, cookies, coffee, and alcoholic beverages can be harsh on your guests’ teeth if they aren’t careful. Thankfully, there are a few delicious appetizers that can keep your party happy and festive while providing benefits for everyone’s oral health. Here’s a quick look at some tasty and tooth-friendly treats that are perfect for your gathering.

Cheese, Please

Cheese is a dairy product that is rich with vitamins and minerals essential for the health of your teeth and skeleton such as calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. To make things even better, many cheeses are firm enough to help rub plaque, food debris, and sugary residues away from your teeth, which can reduce accumulations of harmful oral bacteria. Cheese is absolutely delicious when served with crackers or as part of a charcuterie board, and it’s sure to delight many of your guests.

Raw Fruits and Veggies

The classic veggie tray is a tried and true party pleaser that can provide your friends and family with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote healthy digestion. Raw, snappy fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, celery, and broccoli can also help scrape harmful chemicals and germs away from the enamel without damaging the teeth. Providing your guests with veggies to munch on can help them reduce the impact of sweet or acidic items like milk chocolate, wine, and cider.

How Can I Protect My Guests’ Smiles When Serving Beverages?

Every party needs beverages, but some popular holiday drinks can harm your guest’s enamel without the proper precautions. Coffee, tea, wine, and eggnog contain acid that begins eroding enamel on contact, but your guests can minimize this problem by enjoying a tall glass of water when imbibing a favorite festive beverage. They can also use straws to minimize how much contact these liquids make with their teeth. Keep in mind that fluoridated water is always the best beverage for one’s oral health, so make sure your guests always have access to it.

Planning your party’s menu with your guests’ oral health in mind can help you and your friends have fun without worrying about nasty oral infections or unsightly dental stains. This can help keep the holidays festive and stress-free for everyone.

About the Author

Dr. Sean Brown graduated with his dental degree from the University of Buffalo and completed his Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. His office in Doylestown offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental services. To learn more about keeping teeth healthy, contact his office online or dial (215) 348-2224.