To protect your teeth against tooth decay and damage, get into the habit of consuming snacks that are healthy not only for your body overall, but for your teeth specifically, too. Here are snacks that family dentists everywhere recommend avoiding.

Avoid Sweets That Are Sticky And Crunchy

First of all, sugar is not good for your teeth. It feeds bacteria that then build up on your teeth, forming plaque that can be difficult to remove through brushing alone. This plaque buildup leads to the formation of acids that eat away at tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Plaque can also negatively affect the gums, leading to inflammation, infection, and periodontitis.

To minimize plaque buildup and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, it’s best to avoid consuming processed sugary snacks. Any sugar-centric snack that is also sticky is especially bad for teeth, because it can be difficult to completely remove the sticky foods just by brushing and flossing.

If the snack is also hard and crunchy, then you have the added risk of chipping or cracking a tooth. For the sake of your teeth, and to maintain healthy gums, stay away from processed snacks that are sweet, sticky, crunchy, chewy, and hard. As you can imagine, lollipops and similar candies are a dentist’s worst nightmare!

Minimize Citrus Consumption

It’s true that citrus fruits pack healthy vitamins and other nutrients that are good for you. The majority of people do benefit from consuming certain quantities of citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines. However, for the sake of your teeth, avoid over-consuming these types of fruits. Tooth enamel can erode quickly if you frequently snack on members of the citrus family. It’s a good idea to avoid other highly acidic foods as well to protect your teeth.

Don’t Chew On Ice

Here in Fairless Hills and throughout Pennsylvania, family dentists too often see cases of cracked and chipped teeth from crunching ice. Especially in the hottest, most humid days of summer, many people try to cool off with an iced drink, and the temptation to chew on ice is great. Do your best to not give in, though, or your teeth may suffer the consequences!

Skip The Sports Drinks

We’ve already discussed how problematic sugar can be for the health of your teeth and gums. A large percentage of sports drinks contain high quantities of sugar, and as you or your kids drink these beverages, your teeth come into direct contact with liquid sugar. If you decide to consume sports drinks, make sure they’re low in sugar content. Better yet, stick to water.

Make An Appointment With Dental Savers Today

At Dental Savers in Fairless Hills, PA, we care about our patients’ dental health. We offer dental care for the whole family, and it’s heartbreaking to see children with so many cavities because they’ve been eating the wrong snacks. It’s also sad to see adult patients with chipped and cracked teeth, or eroded enamel, from consuming snacks that are dangerous to teeth. Regardless, we’re here to serve the community, and if you have any dental issues whatsoever, reach out to us today!