The food we eat starts out in our mouths. But when it comes to nutrition, we think about every other body part first. We look for heart-healthy foods, brain food, foods to ward off cancer or provide the jolt of energy we need to run a marathon. We value high-fiber foods for gastrointestinal health.

But what about our teeth and gums?

A new e-booklet from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, based in Madison, hopes to fill in that gap, informing consumers about the latest research on foods that promote oral health, along with recipes that incorporate those ingredients.

With all that Easter candy sitting around, it’s as good a time as any to brush up on the subject.

The 19-page booklet, available online only, identifies 21 foods that are good for the teeth or gums, from basil to xylitol.

 NEW YORK, NY, USA: The average gift from the Tooth Fairy dropped to $2.10 last year, but she’s still visiting nearly 90 percent of homes in the United States, according to The Original Tooth Fairy Poll sponsored by Delta Dental. That average gift is down 42 cents from $2.52 in 2010.

The 17 percent drop in value is one of the larger declines since Delta Dental began conducting the poll in 1998. Children receive an average of $1.97 per tooth — down 2 percent from last year’s average of $2.01.

“Like many Americans, the Tooth Fairy needed to tighten her belt in 2011, but she’s hopeful for a recovery this year,” said Ann Johnson, spokesperson for Delta Dental of Minnesota. “More important, Delta Dental is encouraged that parents are still making visits to the dentist a priority for their children.” In fact, 90 percent of those surveyed say they take their children to the dentist every six months.

The Original Tooth Fairy Poll, which surveyed 1,355 parents across the country, yielded these additional findings: