Dental-Friendly Snack Ideas
People love to snack between meals, but there are ways to do it that help, not harm, your teeth. Sweet, sticky, and acidic snacks damage tooth enamel. Our family dentists in Foley, AL, want you to think of snacks as a dental-friendly way to clean your teeth during the day.
Make It Crunchy
Crunchy snacks like apples, carrots, and celery are high in water content and fiber. The fiber in them works like a natural toothbrush. Every bite helps to scrape debris and plaque off your teeth. The water content keeps your mouth moist, allowing saliva to help wash away plaque build-up.
Make It High-Protein
Protein is the body’s building block, providing essential nutrients that help create strong bones, teeth, and gums. Minerals in high-protein foods, such as phosphorus, help to remineralize the teeth, strengthening the enamel.
Some good choices for high-protein, low-sugar snacks include hard-boiled eggs, nuts, and peanut butter. Keep the portion size small, though, because high-protein usually means higher calories, too.
Make It Calcium-Rich
Like protein, calcium plays a significant role in strengthening tooth enamel. Snacks rich in calcium help provide the necessary building material to harden existing enamel and build more.
Calcium also helps produce healthy bones. This is critical because the jawbone is what anchors teeth in place. So, snacks high in calcium help make the jaw stronger.
Some great choices for calcium-rich snacks include nuts and seeds like almonds or pumpkin seeds. Cheese is also rich in calcium and helps lower the acidity in your mouth.
Putting the Right Snacks Together
The key to healthy snacking is to satisfy cravings without eating junk foods like chips or candy. If you are craving something sweet, pick up a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts. If you want something crunchy, reach for fresh vegetables instead of chips.
Make an appointment with your dentist in Foley, AL, today for a check-up to see what else you can do to keep your teeth healthy for the rest of your life.
