Your teeth and gums can benefit from an apple a day. However, sometimes those so-called healthy snacks can prove to be disastrous for your mouth.
You may be doing the rest of your body a favor snacking on trail mix and citrus fruits all day, but your teeth and gums won’t be very happy about it.
Your East Greenbush Dentist, Dr. J. Craig Alexander recommends that you avoid the following foods for healthy teeth and gums.
Healthy Foods to Watch Out For
- Citrus
Lemons, grapefruits, oranges, Kiwi and tomatoes, yes, tomatoes are a fruit, are loaded with vitamin C, but the acid is bad for teeth. Even adding citrus to your drinking water will add acid. Acid can also lead to mouth sores. Eat and drink in moderation if you want your vitamins and anti-oxidants. - Dried Fruit
Dried fruits are a healthy snack; however, figs, prunes, apricots, raisons, mangos and other dried fruits are sticky. Those sticky fruits stick to your teeth and gums leaving behind sugar. Rinse, brush, and floss afterwards. Dr. Alexander recommends that you eat the fresh versions, as they are a better choice all the way around. - Pickles
Pickles, whether you prefer sweet to dill, are loaded with acid. Mix vinegar with water and you have a teeth eroding combination that is best to avoid. They may have almost zero calories, but won’t do any favors for your teeth. - Diet Conscious Starchy Snacks
You may have converted to guilt free popcorn chips, but they will still stick to your teeth. Keep any starchy food to a minimum, as starchy foods will stay in the crevices and cracks of your teeth.
Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy with Regular Checkups
Keep your body and your teeth and gums healthy and avoid these and other not so healthy snacks such as hard candies and sports drinks. Don’t forget to schedule regular checkups with your dentist, and follow good oral hygiene.
Healthy teeth and gums start with your dentist, call for an appointment today.