When parents think of “cavity causers”, candy, juice or pop quickly come to mind. While those are the classic bad guys, cracker grazing is just as much of a culprit in creating cavities. The starchy crackers (organic or not) like saltines, goldfish and pretzels break down into sugar that feeds the bad bacteria exactly like candy does. Therefore, crackers are not a healthier option than candy.

            Crackers stick to the chewing surfaces and cling in-between the teeth long after they have been chewed. These are some of the most common places we find cavities. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get crackers entirely out of the mouth without brushing and flossing, so the starches can just sit on the teeth all day long. This is not good for the vulnerable baby teeth in the mouths of kids and grown-ups.

            Try consuming a set amount of crackers at one sitting and follow that with some swishes of water, a crunchy snack of apples or carrots or a cheese stick. This helps wash away the sticky starches and neutralizes the mouth.

Dexter Dental Studio is a functional dental office located at 7300 Dexter Ann Arbor Rd., Ste. 300, in Dexter. For appointments and more information, call 734-426-8360 or email [email protected].