What do you consider during the day when it comes to what your next food or drink is going be? Do you make a conscious effort to eat healthy foods, or do you just go for taste and looks?
Whatever it is that you base your decision on, have you ever once stopped to consider the effects your favorite foods and drinks have on your teeth? Most people will go through their whole lives not even thinking about this once – when the reality is that what you?re putting into your mouth can be the cause of all your dental problems. Here are some that our Newport Beach dentist wants you to look out for:
- Citrus
Your grapefruit breakfast, the lemon water, even your orange snack, can all wreak havoc on the health of your teeth over time. These foods are very acidic, which causes enamel breakdown that leaves your teeth more vulnerable to developing decay.
Quick Fix: Since these foods are healthy, you can continue to enjoy them but don?t let the citrus soak into your teeth. At a minimum, you should rinse your mouth out once you?re done. It?s best if you can brush your teeth afterward. This will flush away all of the acid that leads to erosion.
2.?Carbonated Beverages
?With this one, you have a double whammy.? Soft drinks are not only highly acidic like citrus, they are packed with sugar which is also bad for teeth. Citric acid is placed in sodas to make them taste better, and give them a longer shelf life.
Quick Fix: Carbonated beverage consumption should be limited to one 12 ounce serving per day. If you drink through a straw, it may help prevent your teeth from being coated in sugary acid. Also, don?t sip on a soda all day long.? The constant exposure to the sugar and acid will leave your teeth more vulnerable to breaking down.? Instead, drink your carbonated beverage all at once and then rinse your mouth out with water.
The artificial sweeteners in diet sodas have also been found to cause tooth erosion, so unfortunately drinking a diet drink isn?t much better for your teeth.
??3.?Gum
Chewing gum can actually be good for your oral health but you have to chew a certain kind. A lot of brands are packed with sugar that breaks down tooth enamel and causes cavities – so try to stay away from those.
Quick Fix: Healthy gum will be sugar-free and contain xylitol.? Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous parts of plants. This ingredient prevents bacteria from sticking to teeth, making it harder for decay to develop. Essentially, chewing xylitol gum after eating or drinking can help prevent cavities.
4.?Alcohol
Pretty much everyone knows that drinking alcohol isn?t the best thing to consume if you?re trying to stay healthy. But have you ever stopped to consider what alcohol is doing to your mouth?? Probably not. How about this – have you ever noticed that after a night of drinking you wake up with a dry mouth?
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it rids your body of all moisture including saliva. A dry mouth is a big issue when it comes to the health of your teeth.? The dry, desert-like environment not only causes red and painful mouth sores, but it also causes tooth decay.? The job of saliva is to keep our mouths lubricated and flushed of food particles. When our mouth is dry everything sticks to it, including decay-causing germs.
Quick Fix: If consuming alcohol, try to keep your mouth hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Be sure to brush your teeth before going to bed after drinking, and use an alcohol-free, fluoride mouth rinse.
5. Bread
Having a carb craving? That?s okay, but keep your toothbrush handy. Soft breads are hard for teeth to break down.? This food tends to stick to teeth and hide in all the crevices of the mouth.? If not properly removed after consumption, the food particles cause bacteria to form, turning into plaque and tartar. The effects are one after another, so do the right thing and clean your teeth after you?ve enjoyed your bread.
Quick fix: Clean your teeth after enjoying your carbs!
6. Nuts
Hard nuts can cause weak teeth to break and crack.? However, this food isn?t in a category by itself. Ice, hard granola bars and candies, popcorn kernels, fruits with seeds or pits, and meat with bones are all risky.
Quick Fix: Chew these things carefully and slowly.
Keeping Your Teeth Healthy
Maybe know you?ll take the health of your teeth into consideration when trying to decide what you?re going to eat next. Severe breaks and deep cracks can cause you to lose a tooth, so remember to be aware of what you?re putting into your mouth.? To help you get the upper hand on the situation our Newport Beach dentist can examine your teeth and let you know of any weak areas. Call today for your consultation.
