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You may wonder if snacking is bad for your oral health (but you really love snacking!). You may not really know how to make changes so that you’re protecting your smile as you eat throughout the day. While you probably have some very good intentions, trying to figure out answers for yourself in regard to your smile health can end up feeling challenging if not down right defeating! Don’t worry. Your Riverside dentist is happy to share some valuable information with you regarding how to make sure your stomach stays full throughout the day, while you keep your smile safe!

Change Your Foods

Snacking throughout the day can help keep your blood sugar nice and level! However, you can place your oral health in harm’s way, explains your Riverside dentist, if you’re not thoughtful about the foods you’re eating. Remember that sugary, starchy, and carb-loaded foods give the bacteria in your smile something to feast on (which leads to an acid environment in your mouth and potential subsequent problems!). Hard foods can crack teeth! So, what to eat to ensure you’re not performing such risky behavior? Consider the following:

  • Consider a handful of nuts, which are good for your smile (just make sure they’re not too hard to eat)
  • Reach for yogurt, string cheese, or other calcium-packed dairy items that are smart for your smile
  • Eat crunchy fruits and veggies that are healthy and A-OK for your smile

Or, Remember To Drink Water After!

One of the easiest things to do throughout the day if you enjoy snacking is to drink water. You can rinse with water or sip the water. The important thing is that you use it to wash your teeth off! It offers a lot of protection, so you’re keeping food particles from sitting on your teeth for hours on end, explains your Riverside dentist.

Always: Consider Keeping Gum Or Dental Hygiene Products Nearby

If you’re so inclined, we encourage you to do one of two things: Get in the habit of chewing sugar-free gum after you eat, which helps further reduce the food on your teeth (and causes you to salivate!). Or, if you can, rinse, wait a bit, then go brush and floss for very clean teeth and gums!

Learn More About Smile Safe Eating

Find out how to eat what you like throughout the day without compromising your oral health when you see us for a visit! Give us a call in Riverside, CA to schedule a consultation with your dentist. We are proud to serve patients from Riverside, Temecula, Moreno Valley, Corona, and all surrounding California communities. To schedule an appointment, contact one of the following locations nearest to you:

Riverside Dental Group at Magnolia in Riverside, CA at (951) 689-5031.

Dental Associates of Moreno Valley in Moreno Valley, CA at (951) 697-6800.

Riverside Dental Group at Woodcrest in Riverside, CA at (951) 776-9001.

Oasis Family Dental in Temecula, CA at (951) 695-2290.

Dental Associates of Riverside in Riverside, CA at (951) 369-1001.

Dental Associates of Corona in Corona, CA at (951) 273-9580.