When you’re reaching for your next snack, be sure to opt for something healthy not just for your waistline, but for your oral health, as well. Here are some great snacks that are good for your teeth!
- Almonds
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Apples
- Carrots & Celery
Almonds are known to be a great snack because they’re high in calcium and protein and low in sugar. Protein and calcium help keep your teeth strong while a low sugar content keeps any risk of decay down. Grab a handful and munch on some almonds!
Cheese lovers rejoice! Cheese is a great snack for your teeth because it’s high in calcium, which promotes strong teeth, and contains a protein called casein. Casein strengthens tooth enamel and acts as a buffer against acids and bacteria that lead to tooth decay. Calcium also stimulates saliva production and can replace important minerals that your teeth may have lost. Cheeses like goat, cottage, feta, and ricotta, along with string cheese, are probably the healthiest kind of cheeses you can opt for, but go ahead and eat your favorite as long as it’s not in too large of quantities!
Like cheese and almonds, yogurt is high in protein and calcium. It’s a great snack to ensure you’re maintaining strong, healthy teeth. Yogurt also has probiotics, or good bacteria, that benefit your teeth by replacing the bad bacteria in your mouth with the good. It’s always best to avoid yogurt with too much sugar so try to opt for a plain variety with no added sugar.
An apple a day may help keep cavities away. Apples are a great snack for tooth health because of their fibrous texture. Due to this fiber, your gums are stimulated when you chew them, reducing cavity-causing bacteria and increasing your saliva flow, which neutralizs acids in your mouth and washes away food bacteria. Apples are known as nature’s toothbrush! However, while they do a lot of good for your teeth, they’re no substitute for brushing and flossing.
Carrots and celery are a great snack for your teeth in the same way that apples are. Their fibrous texture helps stimulate your gums and the act of chewing these veggies prompts the production of saliva. These veggies are also full of beta carotene, which is needed to make vitamin A, a necessary ingredient in building strong teeth and forming tooth enamel. Celery and carrots are also full of water and eating them raw actually helps to wash out your mouth, getting rid of food particles left in your mouth that could cause cavities if not removed.
A healthy diet is an important part of maintaining good oral health. Another vital part of your oral care should be biannual dental exams. Call us today to schedule your next checkup and cleaning!
