Smart Snacks Help Keep Your Teeth Cavity Free

Cavities start when the hard surface of the tooth, or tooth enamel, breaks down as a result of exposure to harmful acids.¹ Bacteria in the mouth interact with food left on the teeth to produce those acids.¹ Watching what you eat can help prevent this sticky situation.

Foods without a lot of sugar and fat are better for your teeth—as well as your entire body.³ Try replacing candy bars and other snacks with the following options:

• Fresh fruit and raw vegetables³

•  Nuts and seeds³

•  Whole-grain crackers, cereals, and breads³

• Low-fat or nonfat yogurt, cheese, and milk³

Here are some other ways you can reduce your risk of cavities:

• Limit between-meal snacks and eat a variety of foods in a well-balanced diet.¹

• Eat carbohydrates with other types of food. For example, eat your crackers with cheese.⁴

• Avoid foods that cling to your teeth, including soft, sweet, or sticky foods like cakes and candies,^{3, 4} and beverages high in sugar.²

• Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist.⁴

• Brush gently, at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.^{1, 5} Pay special attention to the gum line.⁵

• Clean between your teeth at least once a day with dental floss or an interdental cleaner.^{1, 5}

• Visit your dentist regularly.¹

¹ “Tooth Decay: Frequently Asked Questions.” American Dental Association. www.ada.org/3031.aspx?currentTab=1 Accessed 2010.

² “Diet and Tooth Decay.” Journal of the American Dental Association. April 2002, vol. 133, p. 527. http://www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/patient_13.pdf Accessed 2010.

³ “Snack Smart for Healthy Teeth!” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health. http://www.nidr.nih.gov/health/pubs/snaksmrt/main.htm Accessed 2010.

⁴ “How Does What I Eat Affect My Oral Health?”Academy of General Dentistry, March 30, 2007. www.agd.org/public/oralhealth/Default.asp?IssID=315&Topic=N&ArtID=1274 Accessed 2010.

⁵ “Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums.” American Dental Association. www.ada.org/2624.aspx Accessed 2010.