You’ve probably heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away and it is very good for your teeth too. But what about all those other Crunchy foods like Carrots, Candy and Pork Crackling?
A Good Crunch:
It’s a workout for your muscles to chew crunchy fruits like Apples and Pears, but all that crunching can clear away plaque and bacteria from your teeth too. These fruits have another bonus for your health, they’re also full of vitamins. Crunchy veggies like Carrots, Cucumbers and Celery are great because they stimulate saliva flow. The saliva is full of antibodies and minerals to defend your teeth and gums against cavities and gum disease. Plus, the veggies contain much fiber that will keep you healthy.
A Harmful Crunch.
Crunchy snack foods like hard Candy, Chips, Crackers and Pretzels can be really bad for your teeth. They are harder than the fruit and Veggies to the point that chewing them can lead to Cracks and Fractures in the teeth. The pieces they break into while you chew can easily wedge themselves in your teeth and in between the teeth and fillings. Then the carbohydrates that are wedged and stuck to you teeth are converted to sugar which is transformed by the bacteria to acid, that melts the enamel and dentin and creates decay.
At Tooronga Family Dentistry we advise you to choose some fruit and veggies when you feel the need for a Crunchy Snack.