Ask the Warrior Dentist:  -  Smart Snacking for Healthy Teeth


Candy, cakes, cookies, soda and other sugary foods may taste great but can cause problems with your teeth.  Most children consume far too many foods and drinks filled with sugars and starches.  Starches are also the villains of tooth decay since they break down into sugars quickly and have a similar effect on tooth enamel as do sugars.

Per the Federal Citizen Information center, the average American consumes 147 pounds of sugar per year.  That’s a lot of potential trouble for not only the teeth but one’s overall health as well.

Luckily many of the guidelines that deal with general health also help in protecting your teeth and the teeth of your children from the ravages of normal snack choices and oral hygiene.

One question is; why are sugars so dangerous to our teeth?  Bacteria live in everyone’s mouth all the time.  These bacteria form a sticky material called plaque which coats the surface of your teeth.  When the bacteria come in contact with sugar the bacteria grab the sugar and turn it into acids.  These acids are so powerful that they begin eating away at the enamel that is the outer layer of your teeth.  This is how cavities get started.  If you don’t consume sugar or foods that turn into sugar in your mouth the bacteria can’t produce as much enamel-dissolving acid.

Before you start eating a snack or give one to your child, ask yourself what’s in the food you have chosen.  Is it loaded with sugar?  If you don’t know, find out.  Ask a friend or look it up.  If it is filled with sugar take a look at your other options.  Perhaps another food is available that will be healthier for your teeth and the rest of your body.  You always have choices.  Also keep in mind that certain types of sweets are worse for your teeth than others.  Sticky and gooey snacks stick to your teeth for a longer period of time than foods you chew and swallow quickly.  The longer the sugary food or drink stays on your teeth the more time it has to work with the bacteria and wear away at the teeth’s enamel.

Another factor to consider is how often during the day you eat or drink sugary snacks.  Do you sip on soda or sweet treats throughout the day?  Or do you save them for dessert after lunch or dinner?  The damaging acids form in your mouth every time you consume sugar.  The acids then continue to affect your teeth for at least twenty minutes before they are neutralized.  The more times you eat sugary snacks during the day the worse it is for your teeth.  One of the worst things you can do is to sip on a sugary beverage all day.  


If you do eat sweets it’s always best to eat them as dessert after your main meal of the day and then brush your teeth as soon as possible. Snacking throughout the day is great idea as long as you choose foods low in sugar and high in nutritional content.  Vegetables, fresh fruits, cheese, whole-grain crackers and nuts are all snacks which are better for you and your teeth.  
By paying a little attention to the snacks we eat we can do wonders for our oral and overall health.