Amanda, her two kids, and their dog wake up early on a Saturday morning, excited to hit the Poudre River Trail. They’ve got their hiking boots on, backpacks out, and are discussing what kind of snacks to bring for their day adventure. The kids have their lawyer hats on and are putting forth a case to bring candy bars, chips, and sugary sports drinks. Their Border Collie is also raising a paw for junk food.
Alas, there are many downsides to taking sugary snacks and drinks on the trail, including:
- Harmful oral bacteria that feed off sugary snacks and some high-carb foods
- Acid creation that weakens tooth enamel (especially from energy gels and drinks)
- The impulse to constantly snack, keeping your mouth producing acid
- Dehydration, which reduces saliva, making it harder for your mouth to neutralize acids and clear away food
So what snacks might Amanda and her crew pack in order to enjoy their hike and keep their teeth healthy? Let's explore.
Strengthening Oral Health on the Trail
As we’ve discussed, there are several types of foods and drinks that raise your risk of cavities, dental erosion, and dry mouth. The Journal of the American Dental Association has put forth recommendations on foods to avoid and foods to choose. We can use their list to help Amanda and her kids pack for their hiking trip accordingly.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid:
- Sugar-sweetened drinks (like sports drinks or juice)
- Candies, protein bars, and breadlike foods such as chips or pretzels
- Foods that dry out your mouth
- Highly processed foods and snacks
The Good Stuff:
- Fruits and veggies get your saliva flowing and help keep your teeth and gums clean
- Cheese and other dairy products create saliva
- Sugarless chewing gum
- Water
Amanda vetoes the lawyerly arguments from her kids and packs everyone lots of water, cheese cubes, nuts, toasted whole grain bread, hummus, crisp apples, celery, and carrots. They also pack portable toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste. After a little complaining, they’re ready to go, excited to enjoy the natural world, and even crunch on an apple or two.
Want to Learn More About Oral Health? Give Us a Call!
At Bagley Family Dental, we want you to hit the trails and have a great time, while also keeping your oral health in mind. If you’re thinking about getting a cleaning or looking for oral health tips, please get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.