Start Snacking Smart for Your Oral Health
Everyone loves to indulge in unhealthy snacks once in a while, but do we really know what they’re doing to our teeth? Some of the types of foods we ingest can feed the bacteria already living in our mouths. Essentially, these unhealthy snack food items are inviting decay to the teeth. Not only will teeth begin to decay over time, but they may also lead to inflammation in the gums or breakdown of the bone and other oral structures. Luckily, there are foods that everyone can opt for instead of their often sugary foods.
What Makes Food Good or Bad for Oral Hygiene?
The truth is that as much as we crave sweet foods, our teeth do not. Snacks that are high in sugar, carbs, and acids are highly unhealthy for your teeth. Have you ever chewed on a piece of hard candy and it stuck to your teeth? Those fun, sticky candies are especially bad for oral health as they increase the chances of getting cavities. To build strong and healthy teeth, reach for foods that are low in carbs and high in fiber. As much as possible, individuals should avoid processed foods that likely have little to no nutritional value.
Trade This for That
Next time you choose something to munch on, try swapping out these foods for our suggested tooth-healthy foods.
- Instead of sugary sweet bubblegum, choose a sugarless chewing gum. There is not much difference between these two options, and in fact, you may not even realize a difference!
- When you’re craving something for dessert, try swapping out candy and other sticky foods for naturally sweet items like apples, strawberries, and other fruits.
- If a little bit of caffeine stimulation is needed, try opting for black or green tea instead of coffee, which can stain the teeth.
If you do indulge in these treats once in a while, don’t fret. Brushing your teeth about 30 minutes after eating these types of foods can help keep those dreaded cavities at bay.
Contact Rockwall Oral Surgery
Has tooth decay gotten the best of your teeth? If so, and you need oral surgery or dental implants, please call Dr. Pollock at Rockwall Oral Surgery to make an appointment with our team. You can reach us today at (469) 264-8921. You can also visit our contact page or reach us via email at info@dentalimplantsurgery.com.
