Snacking is often considered a sin when it comes to taking care of the teeth. Dental experts recommend brushing after meals but no one actually talks about dental care after snacks. The most important guideline related to snacking is to cut down on sweet snacks between meals. Can you protect yourself from the harmful effects of snacking? Should you stop snacking completely? We, at the Wayzata Dental Clinic tell you how to enjoy snacking without suffering from the guilt of ruining your smile.

Snack on teeth-friendly food. Here are a few of teeth-friendly foods for you to snack on:

• Almonds

• Sesame
• Whole wheat bread
• Tofu
• Sunflower seeds
• Plain popcorn
• Milk
• Yogurt
• Cheese – any low-fat variety
• Buttermilk
• Cottage Cheese
• Pineapple
• Orange
• Pears
• Watermelon
• Muskmelon
• Spinach
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Green beans
• Cucumbers
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Chicken
• Boiled eggs

Make yourself a salad using some of the ingredients mentioned above, and carry it in small boxes to work. Open a box every time you feel like snacking.

Rinse your mouth well after you have had your snack. We know brushing is not possible every time you pop something into the mouth. However, make it a habit to rinse after every snack.

Brush your teeth an hour after you had a non-vegetarian snack. Meat and fish do not only get stuck between teeth but they also give your mouth a smell. Even if you had non-vegetarian food just as a snack, make sure you follow it with thorough brushing.

You don’t really have to compromise with eating if you pay a little attention to oral hygiene and dental care.

Happy smiling!

Tags: snacks for healthy teeth, teeth-friendly food