diet is essential for a healthy smile as well as good fortherest of you. ‘The problem is, only 7.5 percent of Wisconsinites eat the daily recommended vegetable allowance, and less than 13 percent eat the recommendedfruit allowance. Some Answers To help your family enjoy nutritious foodchoices that can help lay the founda- tion for good oral health, Dr. Fred Eichmiller, Vice President and Chief Science Officer for Delta Dental of Wisconsin, suggests key foods for dental health and waysto incorporate them into snacking: Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale. These foods are full of vitamin K, which produces a protein that supports bonestrength andacts as a shield to block substances that break down teeth. They also contain vitamin C, which strength- ens gums and other soft tissues in the mouth. In fact, kale is among the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. A single cup of raw kale delivers 684 percent of vitamin K, 206 percent of vitamin A and 134 percent vitamin C recommended daily values. ‘Twotasty ways to get the health benefits of these greens are kale chips and spinach and tomatosalad. Apples, carrots and celery. These crunchy foods have lots of fiber so they take a fair amount of work to chew, whichincreasessaliva production in your mouth.Saliva is a powerful tool that can rinse away bacteria and food particles at the end of a meal. Carrots in particular are packed with vitamin A, which helps strengthen enamel. ‘Try carrot and celerysticks with blue cheese. e Milk, cheese and yogurt. Dairy products from #WisconsinDairy are full of calcium, which is famous for making Tasty treats that make the whole family smile can also help make those smiles brighter. Cauliflower Nachos 1 head cauliflower, sliced 3 1 1 1 % Y tablespoonsolive oil teaspoonsalt teaspoon cumin teaspoon paprika teaspoonchili powder teaspoon garlic powder 1 pinch cayenne pepper 1 cup low-fat cheese Toppings of choice Preheat oven to 425 F. Toss the cauliflower, oil and spices together in a bowl. Place on a baking sheet in one even layer and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Once golden, remove from the oven and top with cheese. Place in oven for another 5-7 minutes. Add your favorite toppings such as guacamole andfresh salsa. Bananas, sweet potatoes and to- matoes. While it may seem like these foods dont have much in common, theyall contain potassium. This vitamin boosts bone density and helps keep blood from becoming too acidic, which can lead to a loss of calcium in bonesandteeth. A good potassium-rich snack can be baked sweet potato chips. e Water. Water is especially impor- bones—and teeth—stronger. It hardens tooth enamel, strengthens your jawbone and extendsthelife of your teeth. ‘These foodsare also often fortified with vitamin tantfor oral health as it keeps the mouth hydrated and rinses away some of the acids or bacteria that can build up on to boost bone mineraldensity. ‘Try yogurt with bananas, a cheese cubes and apple slices mixture or cauliflower nachos. Here's how: options. D, which helps the body absorb calcium teeth. In addition to plain water, milk and sparkling water are good beverage Learn More For more oral health facts and recipes, go to www.deltadentalwiblog.com.
