Healthy Snacks or Healthy Teeth? You Can Have Both!

Ketogenic. Paleo. Mediterranean. Carnivore. Atkins.

These are a small sample of fad diets that have been sweeping the nation as of late. Some work, some don’t. Some are downright awful for your body, while others only work if you never slip up and have a cheat day. Some help some people lose weight while not even showing results for others.

Regardless of if dieting works for you, we all know one simple fact: eating healthy is good for you. Many studies have been done that prove just how good a healthy diet is for you, studies that “bring a whole new meaning to ‘you are what you eat’ and a new level of importance to eating healthy foods.” –Reasons Why It Is Important to Eat Healthy Foods to Stay Healthy, LiveStrong.com. But did you know there are healthy snacks that you can eat that are also good for your teeth?

Apples and Peanut Butter

We’ve been told since we were young that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, but does it?

While it is important to limit your sweets intake, apples are actually still high on our list of healthy snacks. High in fiber and water content, they’re crunchy, delicious, and – wait for it – really good for your teeth! Simply biting into an apple makes you salivate, and that, along with the fruit’s juices, helps clean bacteria off of your teeth.

Even the texture of an apple massages your gums in a way other foods cannot. Of course, eating one in no way replaces brushing your teeth with toothpaste and a toothbrush, but it definitely contributes to keeping your teeth scrubbed until you can get to a bathroom.

Sometimes, though, just an apple doesn’t quite cut it. To liven it up here and there, dip it in some peanut butter, which is also quite good for you!

Cheese and Yogurt

Studies have shown that consuming cheese increases the pH levels in your mouth. This helps kill off bacteria, thus lowering the risk of tooth decay. In addition, like apples, chewing cheese stimulates your saliva flow, rinsing your mouth more thoroughly.

Yogurt contains probiotics, or “good bacteria.” The more consumed, the more bad bacteria is forced out of your body. As the bad kind of bacteria is what can cause tooth decay and gum disease, it is a good practice to consume healthy snacks that also contain probiotics.

If that isn’t enough to get you munching on these healthy snacks, both cheese and yogurt also contain a lot of calcium, and are very high in protein. However, too much sugar is damaging, so the more yogurt you eat, the more you might want to consider the plain kind to avoid added sugar.

To add more flavor, try making a yogurt parfait! Simply add a layer of organic oatmeal (we love the cinnamon flavor) and top it off with a few fresh fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries.

What If I’m Lactose Intolerant? Or Vegan?

For those who cannot ingest dairy products, there are still plenty of options! Try these popular healthy snacks:

• veggies and leafy greens
• unsweetened tea
• crunchy fruits such as pears, carrots, and celery
• almonds

Healthy Snacks Are Good for You…and Delicious!

“One of the first areas to decline when your diet is less than ideal is your oral health, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).” –Healthy Foods List: Seven Best Foods for Your Teeth, Colgate.

We have only scratched the surface of healthy snacks that are also good for your teeth and oral health. To discover more that can benefit you and your teeth, talk with your doctor at Affiliated Dentists.

The information on this blog is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.