Part of healthy smiles and teeth is taking care of your dental health. With brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, you can keep your smile beautiful and healthy. However, many people don’t know or realize that the foods you eat and snack on can be detrimental to your dental health. Instead of just guessing about the best snacks for your dental health, you should speak with your Houston pediatric dentist or do your research about the best foods to eat to help protect dental health. Whether you or your kids are needing some healthy snack options that help with your dental health, there are a few things that you should know.
LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF SUGAR
Not many people consider the foods they eat to be bad for their oral health. Sweet foods and sugary drinks are always discouraged by dentists as well as healthcare providers. Healthier snacks like fruits and veggies are always encouraged by dentists because they provide a tasty treat without putting your teeth and your smile at risk. If you aren’t sure why, here are a few reasons why you should ditch the sugary foods and grab healthier snacks instead.
Of course, sugary snacks are not the best option for dental health, but they can’t always be avoided. In this case, a good rule of thumb is to monitor yours or your kids’ sugary snack intake. If and when either of you has a sugary snack, it is always best to brush your teeth as soon as possible to help protect your teeth from the build-up of plaque which causes cavities down the road. It’s never too late to change your snacking habits from sugary foods to better snacks.
It should come as no surprise that healthy snacks are the best for dental health and your body alike. Healthy isn’t always appealing to kids and adults sometimes, but you don’t have to sacrifice taste just for healthy either. There are a few great snacks that are healthy and taste great, and they will have your kids begging for seconds. Even if they aren’t into healthy snacks, opening them up to these snacks might even encourage them to eat healthier options.
VEGGIES AND DAIRY ARE GOOD HEALTHY TEETH OPTIONS Fresh veggies might not be at the top of the list, but when you dip them in hummus, they become delicious and nutritious. Similarly, you can dip apple slices in peanut butter for a sweet treat that isn’t processed. Other options include things like low-fat yogurt, cheese cube, crackers, celery sticks, and sunflower seeds. These snacks are not full of refined, processed, or added sugars, meaning they are healthy for yours and your little one’s teeth. Finding snacks that aren’t high in sugar is a great way to keep your teeth healthy and your smile beautiful. The options mentioned above aren’t the only options you can choose from either. Grabbing fresh fruit, raw veggies, and things like cream cheese, peanut butter, and hummus are great ways to eat healthier, protect your teeth, and get a healthy snack at the same time. If you aren’t sure which fruits and veggies are the best ones for your dental health, a good rule of thumb is to ask your dentist next time you visit for a checkup. It’s never too late to start healthy habits, especially when it comes to your dental health. These healthy snacks are great for your teeth and your body, and they taste amazing as well. Ask your dentist for several great options to help protect your teeth, and take a little time to add these snacks to your daily routine and healthy habits in your life and the lives of your children.