Fall Foods That Are Great for Your Teeth
Eating seasonal food is always delicious and fun, but are those Fall foods any good for your teeth? We’ve talked a bunch recently about seasonal foods that are terrible for the health of your mouth, but not much about what is good for your teeth. The good news is that there are Fall treats that actually help teeth and gums instead of making them worse – but remember, always treat yourself in moderation!
Apples – Nature’s “In-The-Meantime” Scrubber
You might say, “But apples are so high in sugar!” While an apple can have as much as 19 grams of sugar per shiny globe, they are also high in water, fiber, and are crunchy. Crunchy foods can be good for teeth because the more you chew, the more saliva you produce. Saliva neutralizes bacteria in your mouth, helping protect your teeth from decay.
Additionally, apples have a rough texture that makes them slightly abrasive, so chewing apples can actually scrub and clean away plaque or other food particles. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to put that apple pie back – you can only benefit from an apple’s scrubbing abilities when it’s still raw.
Eat All The Almonds, Pumpkin Seeds, and Brazil Nuts
Tooth enamel is essential to the health of your teeth, but unfortunately, it can be eroded by acid created by food and drink. Enamel is made of calcium and phosphorus, and ingesting calcium and phosphorus-rich foods can help keep your enamel strong. This is where all sorts of nuts and seeds should come into play.
Most nuts and seeds are high in protein and are low in sugar, while also providing great vitamins. Almonds, in particular, are high in calcium while Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds are high in phosphorus – making all three great for your enamel. This means that when you start pumpkin carving it’s also a great time to harvest some pumpkin seeds too! Just don’t have too many almond cookies.
Say Cheese and Yogurt!
Cheese-lovers and Wisconsinites alike have reason to rejoice – hard cheeses and yogurt are great for your teeth! Both are full of protein and calcium, making them great for your enamel. Hard cheeses, in particular, are good for your mouth because it lowers the pH balance. This, in turn, lowers your risk of tooth decay. The probiotics in yogurt are beneficial to gums by edging out the bad bacteria with good bacteria. Just don’t indulge in the sweet variety, only choose plain. So enjoy those cheesy soups and autumn fruit parfaits!
Contact Your Fuquay Varina Family Dentists Today
If you’re interested in getting a teeth cleaning and dental exam for your teeth to make sure that they are in tip-top shape for this Fall’s feast of food, contact your family dentists at Hamby Family Dental Center here in Fuquay Varina. You can schedule an appointment by filling out our form or feel free to call us at (919) 552-2431.