While crunchy foods can keep your teeth strong, they can also hurt your teeth, depending on the foods you elect to eat. Yes, there are crunchy foods that are good for your dental health and foods that should be avoided. The following information distinguishes between the two.
What Crunchy Foods are Good for the Gums and Teeth?
You don't have to worry too much about preserving your smile if you eat foods, such as celery. Celery's fibrous texture serves as a natural type of floss. Other crunchies in the veggie category include broccoli, peppers, and raw carrots. Not only do they promote saliva flow, they are a rich source of minerals and vitamins. It also helps to eat apples and raw pears. Raw pears assist in neutralizing acids in the mouth. While not crunchy, chewing sugarless gum can help as well. The sticky texture of gum gets in between teeth and removes plaque. Also, the chewing steps up the production of saliva, thereby clearing away acids.
What Crunchy Foods Damage the Teeth
Crunchy foods that are bad for your pearly whites include pretzels, and potato chips. You should also avoid popcorn, as it can cause very small cracks in the enamel. Plus, the kernels can get stuck beneath the gum line. This can lead to a condition, known as popcorn gingivitis. If you have this problem, you need to schedule a dental cleaning with our office. We can remove those stubborn kernels that can cause both discomfort and pain. Also, stay away from sticky hard candies. Don't eat lollipops or hard candy mints. Also, stay completely away from peanut brittle or ice, as they place a great deal of stress on your teeth. When you eat peanut brittle, you are basically eating hardened sugar – definitely a dental no-no!
As you can see, not all foods that go "crunch" are bad for you. To support better dental health, it is helpful to know what and what not to eat. You also want to visit our office every six months for regular exams and cleanings. Make sure you schedule an appointment, as well, if you have any problems, such as mouth or tooth pain. Any form of dental discomfort should be checked immediately.
Give us a call today at (847) 230-9143 if you have not seen one of our dentists in the past six months. Do something good for yourself – something that will give you a reason to smile! You can also explore some of the services we offer by clicking the links below! Dental Bonding Oral Hygiene Teeth Cleaning Dental Exam
Dental Blog | Neu Family Dental | East Dundee, IL Neu Family Dental, 573 Dundee Avenue, East Dundee, IL 60118 / (847) 230-9143 / neufamilydental.com / 10/10/2024 / Related Terms: Dentist East Dundee IL /
While crunchy foods can keep your teeth strong, they can also hurt your teeth, depending on the foods you elect to eat. Yes, there are crunchy foods that are good for your dental health and foods that should be avoided. The following information distinguishes between the two.