Are Apples Good For Your Teeth?
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But what about the dentist? Does eating apples help your overall oral health?
Summer is winding down and soon we will wake to brisk autumn mornings, gentle breezes and apple season! With an abundance of apple orchards nearby, the apple possibilities are endless and now is the perfect time to review how we can make apples a healthy part of your overall health.
Apples have long been considered “nature’s toothbrush” because their thick skins and fibrous flesh are just the right texture for the natural brushing of the teeth.
However, apples do contain sugar, roughly 4 teaspoons full.
This information is reason to give pause when it comes to apples, especially between meals and especially in juice form. Research has shown that most of the decay in adult teeth comes from excessive consumption of fruit and fruit juices. For kids, this can be even scarier; you might consider diluting your children’s juice drinks.
The long and the short of it is that apples are exceptional foods for your teeth and gums and for your overall health, packed with nutrients, vitamins, and fiber to give you energy. But they do contain sugar and acid, which can be harmful to your teeth. Be sure to follow these simple steps when you indulge in apples this season:
1. Eat your apple in one sitting. Grazing leaves more acid and sugar on the teeth for a longer time.
2. Eat apples with other foods. A slice of cheese or bread will neutralize the acids.
3. Rinse with water. Rinsing with water after eating an apple will help wash away acid and sugar.
4. Wait 30 minutes to brush teeth. Since apples do have acid, brushing immediately after eating an apple, may risk damage to the enamel of your teeth.
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