I have been known be a bit of fruit bat. If there is fresh fruit in front of me, it will end up in my mouth. So with the fall officially upon us, and pome fruits like apples and pears reaching their peak season, it seemed like the perfect time to revisit the Tooth Friendly Kitchen!

You see pears and apples are great for your teeth. Their abrasive texture acts like a toothbrush, helping to scrub those pearly whites. They also require some extra chewing, which initiates saliva production. Saliva helps protect teeth from bacteria and tooth decay. The addition of Manuka honey also helps to detour bacteria. We have talked about Manuka honey before in some of our other posts. It has a long list of health benefits but can also be pricey or hard to find. Feel free to use regular honey in this recipe if you can’t get a hold of a bottle. We use mint leaves in the recipe for some added freshness but you could replace the mint with thyme for a more herbaceous flavor.

This easy to make salad is perfect for a quick, satisfying snack or lunch.

Smile Friendly Fall Fruit Salad

• 3 apples
• 3 pears
• 2/3 cup almond slivers
• 1/4 cup Manuka honey
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

Add the apples, pears and almonds into a large mixing bowl, followed by the honey and mint leaves. Tossed until throughly mixed, then serve.