strawberries Archives - Tampa Smiles

20/Apr/2024

Are Strawberries Good for Your Teeth?

It’s almost summertime, which means that strawberries are back in season. This is why the month of May is National Strawberry Month! What a great time to have some fresh strawberries, try a new dessert recipe or strawberry infused drink. Delish! Strawberries are not only a delicious fruit, they are also good for your body. This brings us to the question⏤ Are strawberries good for your teeth?

Strawberries are indeed great for your overall health. They are low in calories and rich in antioxidants, which are extremely beneficial to heart health. Just like oranges, strawberries are packed with collagen-producing vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential in maintaining the strength and integrity of your gums. Just one serving provides about half of your daily vitamin C needs. They are high in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals including folate, potassium, dietary fiber, manganese and magnesium.

Although strawberries are a tasty part of a healthy diet, too much of anything can be bad for your teeth. Just like many citrus fruits, they are highly acidic. Eating acidic foods on an ongoing basis can lead to erosion of the tooth enamel. Erosion wears down the protective coating of enamel of your teeth, which is irreversible. This can lead to a wide range of dental problems, including discoloration, cracked teeth, sensitivity and even tooth loss.

South Tampa Smiles encourages eating a well-balanced diet for maintaining good health and wellness. If your diet is low in the nutrients, your overall health and oral health become more vulnerable to infection and other complications. Discuss your diet at your next dental visit if you have more questions or concerns about proper nutrition to keep your teeth and gums in great health. Give us a call at (813) 289-0560 for your next dental appointment. We look forward to helping you keep your smile healthy and bright!

Read our previous article: Can Strawberries Whiten Your Teeth?

Source: 1-800-DENTIST and colgate.com

Dr. Cannariato

20/Apr/2024

Can Strawberries Whiten Your Teeth?

July 7th is National Strawberry Sundae Day. Although this delicious treat has many flavorful variations, all strawberry sundaes are topped with a bountiful helping of sliced, whole, or chopped strawberries.

Fun facts: Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside and are a member of the rose family.

We would like to take this opportunity to talk about the dental benefits of strawberries. Strawberries are loaded with vitamin C, which helps your body make collagen for healthy gums. Strawberries also contain xylitol, which prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to your teeth. Read more about the Nutritional Benefits of the Strawberry.

Finally, this leaves us with the big question… Can Strawberries Whiten Your Teeth?

Yes! Strawberries contain the tooth-whitening enzyme called malic acid, which can brighten up a dull smile. Remember that berries are very acidic and using this home remedy too frequently could damage the enamel on your teeth.

There are only two ingredients in this strawberry whitening recipe:

1 Strawberry
1/2 Teaspoon of Baking Soda

Follow these simple instructions to get your whiter smile using the strawberry / baking soda mix method:

Puree or crush one strawberry.
Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and mix well.
Dip your toothbrush into the mixture.
Coat your teeth well.
Let the mixture sit on your teeth for about 5 minutes.
Brush your teeth with regular toothpaste and floss right away.

Of course, nothing is as effective as a professional whitening treatment. However, there are whitening toothpastes and natural whitening methods that can be used in moderation to help maintain your bright, stain-free smile. Always remember to brush as soon as possible after eating acidic and sugary foods.

Don’t forget dental checkups and cleanings should be done every 6 months to maintain your healthy smile. Contact South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560 to make your next appointment. Our friendly staff will find a day and time that works best with your busy schedule. We have appointment times before and after work hours 7 am to 7 pm for your convenience. We look forward to hearing from you!