When you think about munching down on your favorite snacks, you probably don’t think about it being good for your teeth. Quite the opposite, in fact. You’re probably wondering about needing to brush your teeth afterward to make sure you’ll be able to keep eating for years to come. But did you know that there are a number of foods that actually can help prevent cavities as opposed to causing them? Not all foods are full of sugar that can cause cavities.
If you’re looking for a way to satisfy your hunger while still protecting your teeth, try chowing down on one of these options. However, always remember that just because you eat a food that helps clean your teeth doesn’t mean you can skip your morning and nightly brushings!
An Apple a Day
Not only does an apple a day keep the doctor away, it also helps keep away the cavities. The crispier the apple, the more saliva your mouth produces, and saliva is essential in helping to keep your mouth clean and free of cavity-causing bacteria. Speaking of bacteria, apples also help slow or even stop the growth of some bacteria.
Drink (or Eat) Up Your Dairy
Because dairy is high in calcium, it helps strengthen your bones, and that includes your teeth. Calcium can even help remineralize small cavities that have already started forming, stopping and helping prevent tooth decay. Cheese is especially useful as it can help balance out acids in the mouth that contribute to cavities.
Change the Black Coffee to Black Tea
You know that coffee can stain your teeth. In addition, these days there are so many sugary additives. Instead, make the switch to black tea. Go easy on the sweeteners, but like apples, black tea contains flavanols, which help stem the growth of bacteria. Also, tea contains fluoride, which we all know is fantastic for your teeth.
There are so many snack options that will help keep your teeth healthy, from peanuts to berries to sugarless gum and whole grains. In general, eating a healthy, balanced diet will help your mouth stay healthy.
