Healthy Snacks for Teeth

Nearly a quarter of all adults over the age of 20 have untreated cavities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states. To maintain the health of your teeth brush after meals, visit your dentist regularly and avoid tobacco. Additionally, dining on healthy snacks for teeth can protect your smile.

Cheese

Dairy products are rich in nutrients like vitamin D and calcium. Cheese has a number of compounds that inhibit the growth and activity of acid-producing bacteria, states S. Kashket of The Forsyth Institute. In a study in the April 2002 "Nutrition Reviews," Kashket notes that cheese helps stimulate saliva flow, reduces cavity causing acidity in the mouth and prevents bacteria from sticking to teeth. Convenient cheese snacks include cheese sticks and sharp cheddar cheese.

Vegetables

Convenient veggie snacks like baby carrots and cut bell pepper are low in sugar and don't adhere to teeth, lowering their risk of contributing to cavity development. Children who consume fruits and veggies regularly have lower rates of dental cavities, reports C. Mobley of the University of Nevada. In the May 2009 "American Academy of Pediatrics," Mobley notes that veggies also provide the body with important vitamins and minerals required for healthy teeth.

Green Tea

Consider sipping green tea to promote the health of your teeth. Compounds in green tea stop plaque from adhering to your teeth, reducing tooth decay risk, Dental Health Magazine reports. Do not add sugar to green tea, as this can promote cavity formation. You can add flavor to green tea by adding skim milk.

Sugar-Free Gum

Popping a stick of sugar-free gum into your mouth next time the munchies hit is a calorie-free way to curb your appetite that also helps your teeth. The act of chewing gum stimulates the flow of saliva which remineralizes teeth. Additionally, sugar substitutes like xylitol in gum are especially protective against cavities, states Svante Twetman of the University of Copenhagen.

Whole Grains

Bacteria in the mouth quickly digest refined grains, contributing to tooth decay. Mount bacteria don't digest whole grains without added sugar as well, Boston Children's Hospital reports. But avoid granola bars or sugar sweetened cereals, as these tend to stick to teeth and boost dental cavity formation.