![Dentist-Approved Snacks](https://www.generaldentistdurham.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/k1by4EpQ-700x454.jpeg)
Many of our patients have been spending a lot of time at home due to the COVID-19 crisis. As your trusted dentist in Durham, NC, we wanted to provide some snack suggestions that are good for you and your teeth. Snacks like candy, potato chips, and soda are notoriously bad for your smile. Here are our top 3 smile-friendly snacks that are worth keeping around your home:
Cheese
Cubed cheese, sliced cheese, or string cheese… any kind of cheese works great as a snack. Cheese has many benefits for your smile. Not only does it taste good, but it’s also easy to chew compared to crunchier snacks. This is especially helpful for anyone who is suffering from jaw pain due to teeth grinding, stress, or anxiety. Additionally, cheese is full of calcium which is necessary to keep your smile healthy and strong. Cheese is also a neutralizing food that helps balance the pH of your mouth and any harmful acids left on your teeth surfaces from a previous meal.
Fruit Smoothies
Fruit smoothies are a great snack for your smile. You can fill them up with any of your favorite fruits or even throw in a couple of vegetables. Any kind of fruit works, but we suggest including strawberries or kiwis. Strawberries are full of Vitamin C, which helps your body fight off infections like gum disease. Gum disease is a common dental concern that we treat in our office, which is caused by tartar buildup surrounding your gum line. Kiwis are full of calcium, which will greatly benefit your dental health. Both of these fruits are very fibrous as well.
Carrots, Celery, or Apple Slices
If you are craving a crunchy snack, these are your best options. Carrots and celery contain loads of vitamins and minerals to help with your dental health. Additionally, chewing on these vegetables can help with saliva production in your mouth. Saliva is important because it keeps your mouth moist and washes away residue left behind on your tooth surfaces. For a sweet tooth, we suggest apple slices. Apple slices contain high amounts of Vitamin C, and have even been known to keep your breath smelling fresh.
Schedule An Appointment
From routine disease to prevention to a full mouth reconstruction, we can meet your needs in a caring and compassionate manner. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 crisis, and we wish our patients and community members health and safety during this time. Please contact us directly for more information on scheduling your next dental hygiene appointment. Until then, we hope you enjoy these healthy snacks!