For those of us who love snacking on delicious foods, there’s no better time to enjoy your favorite snacks than during National Snack Month. However, frequent snacking on foods with added sugar may increase your visits to the dentist. 

Fortunately, you can still enjoy National Snack Month by making healthier snack decisions and maintaining a simple dental routine throughout the day. To avoid poor dental health and maintain your beautiful smile, we’ll be sharing plenty of healthy snacks from MaDental & Associates you can still munch on this month and many months to come.

Why Frequent Snacking Can Ruin Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is vital for a healthy smile. Also, don’t skip your dental routine, as you may risk the possibility of plaque buildup and tooth decay. 

If you intend to observe National Snack Month with frequent snacking sessions, try to avoid snacking often on processed foods with high sugar content. Additionally, be sure to drink water after snacking to rinse your mouth of food debris and always floss when there’s gunk stuck in between your teeth.

Sugar-Filled Snacks to Avoid

While indulging in the occasional sugar-filled snack is acceptable, cavities can develop if you’re snacking on foods with added sugar too often. Snacking on too many chewy, sugary snacks can be detrimental to your oral hygiene.

Below are some snacks that may hurt your teeth:

• Caloric sodas or sports drinks
• Sticky fruit snacks
• Caramel
• Salty chips
• Candy bars
• Cake and pastries

If you’re craving sweet snacks, fresh fruits can curb that same craving without hurting your teeth. However, lessen the consumption of citrus fruits, such as grapefruits or oranges. Eating too many acidic foods can ruin your tooth enamel. 

Healthy Snack Suggestions

There are plenty of healthy, filling snack options you can implement into your diet to avoid developing plaque buildup or tooth decay. Best of all, these snacks will keep you perfectly satisfied.

Try snacking on any of these yummy, fibrous options that won’t hurt your teeth:

• Apples or celery with peanut butter
• Low-fat or greek yogurt
• Low-salt or unsalted nuts, such as pecans or almonds
• Carrots or cucumbers dipped in plain hummus
• High-fiber, low-sugar cereal with low-fat milk

Our team of talented local dentists in Miami is here to help you keep your dental health on track! For bi-annual dental visits and routine cleanings, be sure to schedule an appointment with MaDental & Associates today.