While everyone is stuck at home during the COVID-19 crisis, we want to make sure our patients are making good decisions on their snack choices. As your trusted dentist in North Liberty IA, our goal is to keep you informed on what snacks are good and bad for your dental health. Here are some snacks to avoid during quarantine, as well as our suggestions for substitute smile-approved snacks.
Soda
Soda is really bad for your teeth. It coats your teeth surfaces in harmful acid and sugars that eat away at your tooth enamel. Additionally, there are no health benefits to drinking soda. Instead of opting for a soda sugar fix, try eating an apple. Apples contain sugars as well, but they also can help clean your teeth and rub away plaque.
Additionally, they leave your breath fresher and contain Vitamin C, which helps your body fight against infection and gum disease. Follow up your apple with a big glass of water to wash away any residue left on your teeth. For more information on how we diagnose and treat gum disease, visit Periodontal Therapy.
Potato Chips
While potato chips are a common snack to have on hand, they are also extremely hard on your teeth. Most chips are loaded with starch and sugars which stick to your teeth and cause plaque buildup. Additionally, crunchy potato chips can wear down your mouth muscles quickly and cause jaw pain.
Instead of a potato chip, try opting for a cheese snack. You can buy cubed cheese, cheese sticks, or any other version of cheese. Cheese contains high amounts of calcium, which is great for supporting your bone health. Additionally, cheese is easier to chew than potato chips and helps with saliva production, which keeps your mouth moist and rinses away bacteria.
Candy
Gummy candy, sour candy, chewy candy… you name it, it’s probably bad for your teeth. Most candies contain high amounts of sugar and acid, which stick to your teeth long after you finish eating them. Unfortunately, this is a beloved snack for children and can lead to cavities quickly. Instead of candy, try reaching for more crunchy veggies or nuts.
Snacks like almonds are a great substitute because they can be eaten like candy over a longer period of time. Instead of keeping a bowl of candy next to your desk, try keeping a bowl of nuts. They are better for your teeth because they are full of calcium and protein without all the added sugar.
We continue to monitor the COVID-19 crisis and look forward to resuming preventative care soon. In the meantime, we wish all of our patients continued health and safety. Enjoy your quarantine snacks, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.