4 Healthy Snacks That May Be Bad For Your Teeth
When it comes to protecting your teeth, twice-daily brushing and flossing is the best insurance policy, along with consistent dental exams. But you may also want to moderate certain foods that may be harmful to your teeth.
- Unsweetened Dried Fruit: While raisins, figs, and dried apricots can be a more healthful snack option than a candy bar, they’re still high in sugar and non-soluble cellulose fiber, which can bind and trap those sugars around the tooth to the same extent as saltwater taffy. Your best bet? Enjoy the fresh fruit versions as much as possible. If you are going to have dried fruits, opt for a small amount and choose the versions that do not have any added sugars.
- Banana And Sweet Potato Chips: Although sweet potato and banana chips are a healthier alternative to regular potato chips, the similar texture can still wreak havoc on your teeth. All chips are processed as blood sugar when digested. Therefore, food particles from these carbs can end up lingering and sticking in the grooves of teeth, creating a breeding ground for acid or cavity-promoting bacteria.
- Citrus Fruits: Although fruits such as oranges, kiwis, lemons, and grapefruit are great sources of vitamin C, they are also high in enamel-damaging acid. Enjoy citrus fruits whole (not juiced) in moderation and drink plenty of water afterward to minimize their impact on your teeth.
- Flavored Sparkling Water Drinks: In the same way citrus fruits are a concern, more and more sparkling water beverages are on the market as a soda alternative. While great for lowering calorie intake, these beverages often contain citric acid. Do not fret and give up your healthy change if you have kicked the soda habit with these, simply start moving toward plain sparkling or flat water in time.
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