To eat or not to eat? That is the question you should pose to yourself before you reach for that bag of sour gummy worms! It’s no secret to any of us that sugar isn’t good for our teeth. Our parents and dentists have reminded us since childhood not to drink too much soda or suck on lolli-pops. However, there are other foods to be added to the “Do Not Eat” list and, believe it or not, a whole bunch of delicious foods actually help your teeth. Read on for some suggestions on what to eat and what to stay away from to keep your teeth nice and strong.
GOOD FOR YOU: vitamins A, D, C, Calcium, Phosphorous are especially good for teeth
Apples, kiwi, tomatoes, lemons, oranges all contain Vitamin C, which is essential to bone (including teeth) health and strength
Cheese, milk, yogurt are high in Calcium and Phosphates, which are good for your teeth
Fish, pork, peanuts, almonds, eggs also have Vitamin D, which helps your body use and absorb Calcium
Carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, beef, potatoes, tofu, leafy green vegetables, beans, whole grains and poultry all contain vitamins and minerals essential for tooth health
Teas contain ingredients that help prevent plaque
Chewing celery produces saliva which helps clean teeth and massage gums
BAD FOR YOU: Sticky, chewy, gummy, sweet foods
Saltines, bread, hamburger buns basically break down to be sugar and can harm your teeth
Dried fruits have a more concentrated sugar content than fresh fruit, they are also chewy
Ketchup contains more sugar than you think!
Soda is not only sugary, but also acidic… think of it as a 1-2-punch to the teeth
Chewable vitamins are acidic and also have sugar additives and when you chew them they get stuck in the grooves of your teeth, making it easier for more bacteria to attach
Chewing hard nuts, popcorn kernels, and ice can actually cause small or large fractures in your teeth, creating a place for sugar to sneak in
Peanut Brittle and candy apples are hard, chewy, and full of sugar – a deadly combo for teeth
Jelly beans, taffy, and gum are very sticky and their sugar content ends up in grooves and pits on tooth surfaces
So next time you reach for that bag of dried aprictos or the biggest icing flower on the birthday cake, take a minute and appreciate your smile. Other, healthier options are available to you that can keep those chompers nice, bright, free of decay, and strong.
Call us today at (215) 568-6222 to schedule a cleaning with one of our amazing hygienists. Patients have come through our office and said that the cleaning they had here was the best of their life. We also provide an exam with Dr. Cirka and cavity detecting x-rays (which are FREE for new patients) so we can make sure that all of our patients are in the best oral and overall health. We’ll see you soon!
