Since apples have high levels of acid, yes, they can be bad for your teeth. The acid can lead to cavities and tooth decay. But what about that saying about an apple-a-day keeping the doctor away? Apple’s can help your teeth some too – by dislodging plaque and buildup through the actual chewing of the apple.
Apples and their acidity can damage your teeth if you eat too many. The acid and sugar in apples feed the bacteria in your mouth and damage your enamel. To prevent this, make sure to eat them with other things, rinse your mouth with water afterward, and brush your teeth 30 minutes after eating.
Apples, however, can also have numerous health benefits, like lowering cholesterol, helping in weight loss, and even strengthening your teeth. Just make sure you follow the right steps to take care of your oral health and protect your teeth.
How Apples Affect Your Teeth
While apples can be extremely healthy for you since they contribute to a balanced diet, it’s important to remember that the acid levels present in apples can indeed damage the enamel on your teeth.
The acidic nature of apples, or any other fruit high in acid levels for that matter, can have a harmful effect on your teeth. That’s because the acidity of the fruit drops the pH level down, which creates an environment where bacteria can thrive.
High levels of acid can also erode your enamel. The enamel is the protective layer around your teeth, and if it erodes, it can leave your teeth vulnerable to cavities, brittle teeth, and gum sensitivity.
The sugar content in apples can also be harmful to your teeth, as it helps the bad bacteria in your mouth multiply. With that said, we’re not saying you need to stop eating apples altogether – you just need to practice proper dental hygiene.
Apples also have plenty of benefits. Eating apples helps regulate your blood sugar. If you’re losing weight on a diet, apples are also a good source of snacks since they’re low in calories.
On top of everything else, apples are a great source of fiber for your body. And before we go too much further it’s worth noting that both fresh apples from the produce section and freeze-dried options like these Dried Apple Rings (on Amazon) will have similar health effects.
Benefits Of Eating Apples For Your Teeth
Apples can be a great way of adding a healthy fruit into your diet, and they also have numerous health benefits as well. Some of these include:
Healthy Gums
About 15% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C is present in apples. A lack of vitamin C can lead your gums to be vulnerable and exposed to gum diseases, sensitivity, infection, and even bleeding. Apples can be a good source of this much-needed vitamin C.
Helps With Weight Loss
The fiber present in apples can help lower your cholesterol and even improve your blood sugar regulation. These factors can help with weight loss.
Helps Strengthen Bones
Apples consist of a lot of potassium, which helps strengthen your bone mineral density. All that means is that apples can help you form stronger bones.
Helps Fight Heart Disease
Apples contain antioxidants that help lower cholesterol. This means that they can also help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and strokes.
Dangers Of Eating Apples For Your Teeth
While apples can be good and healthy for your diet, they can also have some harmful effects on your teeth.
Apples are highly acidic, and this acid creates a thriving environment for the bacteria in your mouth and can erode your enamel away.
Enamel erosion makes your teeth vulnerable to problems such as gum diseases, brittleness, cavities, and sensitivity. Over time, it leads to tooth decay.
The sugar found in apples is also harmful to your teeth. Sugar acts as a catalyst for bacteria growth in your body. This bacteria can then cause cavities, gum infections, and tooth decay.
The sugars also form a substance called plaque which can stick onto your teeth and contribute to bacteria production.
How to Prevent Teeth Damage from Eating Apples?
While apples can definitely have some harmful effects on your teeth, they are easy to curb and reduce these effects. Here are some:
Eat apples with other snacks
Having other snacks such as bread, cheese, or anything else will mix with the apples and help reduce their negative effects on the mouth.
Rinse your mouth with water
Once you’re done eating the apple, rinsing your mouth with regular tap water helps flush out any pieces which were stuck in your mouth.
And rinsing with water doesn’t just flush out food debris – it also brings oral pH levels back to normal faster than what our natural saliva can do on its own.
Don’t brush immediately
The acid in the apple softens the enamel on your teeth. This is a bad thing, and brushing right after will only damage your enamel (since it’s still so soft at that point). Wait at least thirty minutes before proceeding to brush.
