Keeping your teeth free of cracks and cavities can be as simple as taking inventory of your snacks. Calcium-rich foods and crunchy fruits and vegetables are great choices. But the typical snacks are not only bad for your oral health but your overall health as well.
Soft, sticky candies such as taffy and caramels coat the surface of your teeth, feeding the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Likewise, hard candies can leave your teeth bathed in cavity-causing sugar.
Even worse, if you bite down on a hard candy your tooth could crack or chip. While popcorn isn’t the worst offender when it comes to tooth damage, biting down on an uncooked kernel can produce hairline fractures.
Chances are you wash your snacks down with some type of drink. Choose water, as sodas are high in decay-causing sugar.
Protect your teeth. Make teeth-smart snack selections, brush and floss each day, and get regular checkups.
