Fruits: Eating for a Beautiful Smile

My fourth recommendation for Eating for a Beautiful Smile is fruit.

I do not mean fruit juices – those are actually bad for your teeth.

But fresh fruit is excellent for your teeth in several ways.

First, firm and crunchy fruits such as apples and crisp varieties of pears have high water content.  Water dilutes the effects of their natural sugars, and stimulates the flow of saliva.  This saliva protects against decay by washing away food particles and buffering acid.

These crunchy, fiber-rich fruits also help fight halitosis, as a result of saliva washing away odor-causing residue, left behind by carbohydrates and proteins.

In addition to cleansing the mouth, fruits are vital to the health of your gum tissue.  Fruits like strawberries, oranges, and kiwis contain high amounts of vitamin C.  A lack of vitamin C can break down the collagen network in your gums, making them tender and susceptible to the bacteria that cause periodontal disease.  Get plenty of vitamin C, and you’re doing a favor for your gums, your skin, and basically your entire body.

It's Fall, and it's the perfect time to go apple picking!  So stock up on apples, not packaged snacks.  You’ll feel so much better, and you’ll end up smiling more as a result.


As always, if you live in or around the Atlanta, Alpharetta, or Roswell areas, and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarah Roberts, call 678-319-0123 or email us today.