If we’re all after one thing, it’s a happy, bright, healthy, and luminous smile. Your diet fuels your body, but it is equally important for your teeth. Some foods and drinks can lead to plaque, severely damaging your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film filled with bacteria—it can be attributed to various oral complications. Sugars also promote bacteria to secrete acids that damage the enamel after you consume something sweet. When the enamel breaks down, cavities can form.
Below are a few cavity-causing examples explained by our dentist in Yaletown :
1. Citrus
Vitamin C and other nutrients in citrus fruit and juices are healthy for you…except not for your teeth. In particular, grapefruit and lemon juice are highly acidic and, over time, can cause tooth enamel erosion. These two cause the most damage, according to an important study involving soaking extracted teeth in several citrus juices. The acid content can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to destruction. Citrus acid may also be irritating to mouth sores. To benefit from their nutritional value, consume them in smaller amounts and rinse them with water.
2. Ice
While ice isn’t technically a food or beverage, that does mean it should be chewed. According to the Canadian Dental Association, chewing on a hard material can weaken enamel and increase your vulnerability to dental emergencies like chipped, cracked or broken teeth and loosened crowns. You can use ice to cool down drinks if you don’t chew on it. Alternatively, use cold water to resist the urge.
3. Pop
You can develop cavities by drinking too many sugary soft drinks… but I am sure that was no surprise. Most people don’t know that the acids in carbonated soft drinks are more likely to damage teeth than sugar. Even sugar-free dietary sodas, considered “Diet,” can erode enamel when consumed regularly and excessively.
When you can’t do without your daily pop, drinking it while eating is your best bet rather than drinking it all day long. When you sip on it over the day, its damaging effects have more contact with your teeth and have more time to attack. Not to mention, soft drinks can stain your teeth, and you may find yourself looking to obtain teeth whitening in Yaletown.
4. Alcohol
It isn’t very “healthy” to drink alcohol. But can you remember how dry your mouth can be when you sip on alcoholic beverages? We all rely on no saliva in a dry mouth to keep our teeth safe. Saliva makes it impossible for food to cling to your teeth and clears food particles and debris. It even helps to reverse early signs of decay, gum disease, and other oral issues. Stay hydrated and use fluoride rinses and oral hydration products to help keep your mouth hydrated.
5. Candies
It’s not shocking that candy harms your teeth, but are some types more harmful than others? Yes, sour candy contains additional types of acids that are stronger and different. Besides, they cling to your teeth longer because they are chewy and have a higher chance of causing decay. When you crave sweets, reach for some chocolate that can be chewed quickly and washed away easily.
6. Potato Chips
Many of us are eternally happy with the crunchiness of potato chips. Sadly, they are filled with starch, which converts into sugar that can be stuck in and between the teeth and feed plaque bacteria. After gorging on a bag of chips, floss immediately to eliminate the particles that become lodged.
It is almost always impossible to stop eating all those “less than ideal foods”. You want to repeatedly enjoy a slice of cake or a glass of wine! Beyond restricting these top harmful foods and beverages, there are several ways you can microbially help your oral health and maintain a strong, healthy smile. If you want to schedule a dental checkup soon, you can visit our dentist near you.