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Look, you can go to a Red Wings game and eat all the junk they have. Of course, the cost would require small bank loan, but your could do it. Cotton candy, Red Vines, Dippin’ Dots, you name it!

But afterwards, you should probably say “I’m sorry” to your teeth and offer up some healthier, tooth friendlier, alternatives.

No one is a perfect eater — what fun would that be? But there are certain foods that are actually good for your teeth. Since we like healthy teeth at Dr. Egger’s, here’s a list of seven foods that your teeth love, compiled by the wild men and women of the American Dental Association (ADA).

Apples

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but maybe it can keep Dr. Egger away, too. While fruits such as apples are sweet, they’re also high in fiber and water. The fibrous texture of the fruit also stimulates the gums. Think of it as a good scrubbing of your teeth and gums.

Yogurt

Yogurt is high in calcium and protein. The probiotics (good bacteria) in yogurt also benefit your gums because the good bacteria crowds out the bad bacteria. It’s best to have yogurt without added sugar.

Carrots

Carrots are crunchy and when you eat a few baby carrots at the end of a meal your saliva production increases. Why is saliva good? Saliva rinses away bacteria and leftover food particles. Plus carrots are high in fiber and a great source of vitamin A. Your eyes will thank you for them, too!

Cheese

Most people wouldn’t associate cheese with tooth health, but it is. A study in 2013 published in General Dentistry found that eating cheese raised the pH in the subjects’ mouths and lowered their risk of tooth decay. The chewing required to eat cheese also increases saliva production, which, as mentioned above, is bueno. Cheese also contains lots of calcium and protein, both of which strengthen tooth enamel.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens seemingly are on every healthy diet list, kind of like Pavel Datsyuk on every “best shootout moves” video on YouTube. While they are full of great minerals and vitamins for your overall health, leafy greens also are good for your teeth. They’re high in calcium for your enamel. They contain folic acid, a type of B vitamin that has numerous health benefits, including helping pregnant women avoid gum disease.

Celery

Celery needs a new publicist. It has the reputation for being bland and stringy. But, like carrots and apples, it’s kind of like a natural toothbrush, scraping food particles and bacteria away from your teeth. It also has lots of vitamin A and C, which is good for your pink friends, the gums. Plus, it’s also crunchy and fun to eat. And you can put a little peanut butter in the trough!

Almonds

Almonds are a great source for calcium and protein and have little sugar. Plus, they’re great at filling you up. Add a quarter cup to lunch and throw some on your salad at dinner.

If you make it a habit to eat more of this stuff, your teeth won’t come back to bite you. If you have questions about any of these foods, just ask us the next time you’re in. Call us at 989-773-3560 for your appointment.