Over our first two blog posts (Part 1, Part 2), we have discussed foods that are good for your oral health. These have included cheese, carrots, and pears.
This week, Dr. Levine explores several foods and beverages that can cause damage to your teeth. While you might not be able to totally avoid these foods, you should consider brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash after consumption.
Foods
Hard Candy:
Hard candy is full of sugar and syrups. These sugars and syrups can cause havoc in your mouth. In addition to this, biting down on hard candies can cause a dental emergency like a cracked tooth.
Chewy Candy/Food:
Gummy bears, jelly beans, Skittles, and other candies/foods like these can be extremely dangerous to your oral health. Due to their texture, these foods/candies are more likely to get stuck in your teeth for longer periods of time. When this happens, cavities and other health issues start to form.
Foods that contain starch:
Potato chips, some cereals, and pretzels all contain starch. The crunchy/crispy nature of these foods cause particles to get stuck in our molars and between your teeth.
Citrus Fruits:
If you eat a lot of citrus fruits, you are introducing a lot of acid into your mouth. Acid works to erode your tooth enamel and increase your risk of developing cavities.
Beverages
Ice:
Chewing on the ice in your soft drink is bad for your teeth. Not only will it damage the enamel of your tooth, but the combination of being cold and hard can cause dental emergencies. Â
Alcohol:
Alcohol causes the body to dehydrate resulting in dry mouth. If you lack the proper flow of saliva, you are more susceptible to cavities, gum disease, and other health issues.
Caffeine:
Similar to alcohol, caffeine dehydrates the body. What makes caffeine even worse, is the sugar that people usually add to their beverages. This is a bad combination for your oral health.
Sugary Drinks:
Soda-pop and sports beverages are the most common types of sugary drinks. The bacteria in your mouth utilizes the sugars from these beverages to cause harm to your teeth and mouth. Additionally, the syrup and acids that these drink contain can cause even more damage.
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