If you want to maintain and/or improve your children’s oral and dental health, there are plenty of ways to do that with smart, healthy food selections, rather than the obvious avoidance of sugary foods and drinks like candy and soda. Did you know that apples are a healthy food for teeth?

An Apple A Day
Of course, we all know that apples are an all-around healthy food, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’re good for your teeth, too. Apples are slightly acidic, which means they act as a gentle cleaning agent for your teeth. Although they’re certainly not a replacement for regular brushing and flossing, apples can also help to whiten your smile when eaten, as long as you eat the skin, too.

Yes, even if your child is wearing braces or Invisalign®, they can still eat apples to help improve their smile, but will have to use more care in doing so. Don’t allow them to bite into the whole apple with braces on – instead, cut up (and if they’re old enough, teach them how to cut up) the apple into smaller, bite-sized slices or pieces. This will help to maintain the integrity of the brackets, and ensure they don’t have to have anything readjusted, and it saves you a trip to the orthodontist, as well!

Having braces or Invisalign® should not keep your child from eating healthy foods – in fact, choosing foods with an eye for good oral and dental health is even more important!

The staff at Horner Barrow Orthodontics will be happy to help you and your children figure out the best way to make their smiles be as bright and healthy as possible. Call us at our Sioux Falls, SD office today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Kevin Horner or Dr. Keri Barrow!