• The Best and Worst Christmas Foods for Your Teeth

    Have you decided what to serve at your upcoming Christmas party or holiday feast? If you’re trying to prepare a healthier menu, consider how different foods affect your oral health, not just your waistline. Here’s a look at which Christmas foods are on the nice list and which naughty foods you should avoid.

    Christmas Foods on the Nice List

    • Turkey and ham: As long as you choose lean cuts with minimal additives, protein is considered good for your teeth. Turkey, in particular, is packed with phosphorus for healthy teeth. Then, ham is high in potassium, which helps your teeth use calcium more effectively.
    • Cheese: No holiday buffet is complete without a cheeseboard. The good news is cheese is packed with calcium and protein for healthy teeth. It also neutralizes any acidity in your mouth to reduce the risk of cavities.
    • Nuts: Mixed nuts make a great holiday snack. Like cheese, they’re high in calcium and protein and low in sugar. Their crunchy texture is also a plus.
    • Raw vegetables: Set out the veggie platter and enjoy every bite, knowing you’re eating one of the best Christmas foods for your teeth.
    • Apples: All fresh fruit is good for you, but apples are especially beneficial for oral health. Finish your meal with a few apple slices to scrub your teeth and stimulate your gums.

    Christmas Foods on the Naughty List

    • Chocolate and other candy: Sweets are high in sugar, which becomes acid in your mouth. This means all candy is bad for your teeth, from hard candy canes and toffees to soft caramels and chocolates.
    • Eggnog: While many consider eggnog a holiday staple, it’s chockfull of sugar. The thick consistency of this drink also encourages the sugar to stick to your teeth, creating acids that cause tooth decay.
    • Dried fruit: Even though it contains the word “fruit,” you should beware of this holiday treat. Dried fruit is surprisingly high in sugar and stubbornly sticks to your teeth. Choose fresh fruit for a healthier mouth this Christmas.
    • Popcorn: Popcorn hulls are a danger to your teeth, but any added caramel or chocolate drizzle only worsens the effect. Keep toothaches at bay by brushing and flossing after eating popcorn to remove any remaining debris.
    • Sugar cookies: In addition to being sugary, cookies also contain starches that get stuck in your teeth and feed the bacteria in your mouth. If you get a craving for cookies, try chewing sugarless gum instead. Your teeth—and your waistline—will thank you.

    Along with eating the best Christmas foods for your teeth, remember to continue your oral care routine this holiday season. This includes seeing the dentist regularly. If it’s been more than six months since your last visit, schedule an appointment with Park 56 Dental before the New Year. We’ve been voted the best dentist in New York, and with good reason. Contact us today at (212) 826-2322 to experience our spa-like dentist office for yourself.

  • Why You Should Take Advantage of Your Dental Insurance

    If you have dental insurance, your current plan will likely reset on January 1. Whether you pay for dental care through a benefits plan or use an FSA, don’t leave your hard-earned dental dollars on the table—schedule the dental services you need today!

    Why Should You Use Your Dental Insurance?

    • Coverage expires at the end of the year: Most dental plans cover two preventative visits per year and have an annual maximum. Coverage doesn’t roll over, so any unused benefits will go to waste.
    • You’re already paying for it: Dental coverage through your employer deducts automatically from your paycheck. If you don’t visit the dentist, that money is simply wasted.
    • Prevention is better than cure: Utilizing your dental insurance helps prevent oral health problems before they start. Even if you don’t need restorative or cosmetic services, you should still have your teeth cleaned and examined twice a year. Your plan should cover most or all of the cost, making it affordable to maintain a healthy smile.

    How to Make the Most of Your Dental Benefits

    • If your mouth is already in good shape, keep visiting the dentist every six months to keep it that way.
    • If it’s been a while since your last appointment, meet with a dentist to determine your dental needs and what treatments are available. Getting everything done before the end of the year helps you make the most of your annual maximum.
    • If you have periodontal disease or another chronic oral health problem, your dental benefits should make ongoing treatment more affordable.

    How to Make the Most of Your Flexible Spending Account

    A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a pre-tax way to fund qualifying medical expenses. You set it up through your employer and decide how much you want to contribute to the account each month. In general, FSA funds expire at the end of the year, so you’ll lose any money you haven’t spent once January 1 rolls around. Here’s how to make sure you use these funds to the fullest:

    • Plan carefully during open enrollment to avoid overfunding your FSA.
    • Talk to your dentist in the summer or fall about any procedures you might need soon. You may be able to use your FSA to pay any associated co-pays or co-insurance.
    • Schedule any services you need before the end of the year to ensure your FSA dollars are used in time.
    • Remember that FSAs typically cannot fund cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening, veneers, or cosmetic braces.

    Park 56 Dental accepts insurance plans from Delta Premier, Delta PPO, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, and Cigna. We also work with CareCredit and Chase Healthcare Advance for patients who don’t have insurance coverage. If you have any other questions regarding finances and dental care, feel free to ask. Then, contact us at (212) 826-2322 to schedule an appointment at our spa-like dentist office. We have served the 10022 zip code area of New York since 1997.

  • The Best and Worst Thanksgiving Foods for Your Teeth

    When you go to plan your Thanksgiving dinner menu, how do you decide what to serve? Most people opt for traditional family favorites, perhaps with a new dish or two to try. But if you or someone in your family is struggling with oral health issues, it may be wise to choose foods based on how good they are for your teeth and gums. Here are some of the best and worst foods to eat for Thanksgiving if you’re focused on good oral health.

    Limit These Worst Thanksgiving Foods for Your Teeth

    • Stuffing and rolls: They may be Thanksgiving staples, but the sugary carbohydrates in stuffing and rolls feed the bacteria in your mouth. The acids left behind can then erode your teeth and lead to cavities.
    • Cranberry sauce: Loaded with sugar and tooth-staining berries, cranberry sauce is known to discolor enamel and encourage cavities to form.
    • Pies and desserts: Most people enjoy a slice of pumpkin or pecan pie and other desserts after Thanksgiving dinner. Keep in mind that sugar turns into acid in your mouth, making it your teeth’s worst enemy.
    • Caramel corn: Popcorn is bad enough, but cover it with sticky caramel, and you have a recipe for dislodged crowns and lost fillings.
    • Alcohol: The acid in wine is enough to etch your teeth if you drink it too often, so be wise about your alcohol consumption this Thanksgiving.

    If you must indulge in these Thanksgiving foods, do so sparingly. Then, to remove particles from your mouth, rinse with water throughout the meal and brush your teeth 30 minutes after your last bite.

    Eat More of These Best Thanksgiving Foods for Your Teeth

    • Turkey: Good news—the quintessential Thanksgiving food is perfectly fine for your teeth! Turkey doesn’t contain starch or sugar that can harm your oral health, and it’s also an excellent source of vitamin D and protein to support a healthy smile.
    • Vegetables: Carrots, celery, cucumbers, and tomatoes are a healthy addition to your Thanksgiving feast. Veggies are chockfull of vitamins and nutrients that promote good oral health. The act of chewing them also scrubs your teeth, massages your gums, and stimulates saliva flow.
    • Sweet potatoes: Feel free to load your plate with sweet potatoes because they’re high in potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamin B6. Just be careful about the brown sugar or marshmallows often served with them.
    • Cheese and nuts: Munch on these snacks guilt-free, knowing they’re filled with calcium, protein, and other nutrients your teeth need to stay healthy and strong.

    If you notice stained, yellowed, or aching teeth around the holidays, don’t put off visiting the dentist. A trip to Park 56 Dental will leave your teeth feeling cleaner and brighter. Voted NYC’s best dentist, we are well-equipped to meet all your preventative and restorative dentistry needs. Give us a call at (212) 826-2322 to set up an appointment today! We have been serving patients in the 10022 zip code area since 1997.