Top 10 Foods and Drinks that Create Dentists Wary

One of the pillars of proper dental health is constant, consistent tooth brushing. You are taught from an early age that brushing your teeth is essential for better everyday health. Dentists also emphasise the need for good oral care as a function of overall well-being.

However, care for your teeth does not start with a toothbrush and some toothpaste but with what you eat. Some studies demonstrate the correlation between diets high increased in sugar and chances of developing tooth decay, regardless of how well and often you brush your teeth. These findings have put dentists on the alert, with caution prompting them to create a list of foods to avoid if you want to keep your teeth healthy and strong.

Top 10 Foods and Drinks that Create Dentists Wary

1. Soft Drinks

It is no surprise that soft drinks, particularly the carbonated type, are harmful to your teeth. Their formulation enables the plaque in your mouth to produce more acid, eroding the tooth enamel. Diet varieties are no better. The sugar in diet drinks is substituted with acid, making them just as dangerous as the regular type. Furthermore, the darkly-coloured products cause discolouration of the enamel. Therefore, you should avoid soft drinks as best you can. Just note that it is also a bad idea to brush your teeth immediately after drinking a soda. Such action may exacerbate tooth decay.

2. Potato Chips

The salty, flavoured goodness that is potato chips seems harmless. However, what you may not realise is that starchy carbohydrates break down into sugars. So, quite often, when bits of potato chips get stuck between your teeth, it results in a build-up of plaque.

3. Alcohol

Alcohol is just as bad for your teeth as it is for your liver and judgement. When you drink, it dries out your mouth, stripping away the protective presence of saliva and exposing your tooth enamel to the adverse effects of sugars and acids.

4. Dried Fruit

Fruits contain natural sugars. Conversely, dried fruits are manufactured by extracting moisture from fresh fruits. This dehydration process leaves high concentrations of sugar behind. Furthermore, dried fruits tend to stick to the teeth, coating them in sugar deposits that can deal substantial damage if you don’t wash them away.

5. Ice

Ice is nothing but frozen water, yet you are discouraged from chewing on it. Cracking and chewing ice or any hard substance damages the enamel, resulting in cracked, chipped or broken teeth. You necessity do your sufficient to resist the urge. If the temptation is too high, then switch to ordering chilled drinks and skipping the ice altogether.

6. Popcorn

Don’t worry. Your favourite movie snack is still good for your health as long as you have it plain and avoid adding sugary toppings like caramel. Due to the nature of cooking popcorn, beware of any hard unpopped kernels which may crack your teeth if you bite down hard. Next, remember to floss thoroughly after eating popcorn, as bits and pieces are bound to get stuck between your teeth. 

7. Citrus

While citrus fruits are healthy and packed with vitamin C, they contain enough acid to induce enamel erosion if taken in large quantities. Tooth decay then comes in on the heels of this erosion. Therefore, you must rely on moderation to afford you the benefits of lemons, oranges and grapefruit without causing damage.

8. Muesli Bars

Muesli bars are touted as healthy snacks. This claim is valid. However, the ingredients of granola and muesli bars are held together with sticky sugar, regardless if it is in honey form.

9. Low-fat Yoghurts

Yoghurt can be good for your health if you are conscious of the correct type of yoghurt to eat. Low-fat yoghurts often have added sugar to enhance their taste after the components which allow them to be labelled as such have been removed. If you want to have some sweet yoghurt, perhaps try incorporating some fruit into a bowl of natural yoghurt.

10. Sports Drinks

Sports drinks contain high amounts of sugar and acid, both of which are harmful to the teeth. Moreover, the fact that you consume sports drinks during periods of increased physical activity where your mouth is most likely to be dry exacerbates their potential to cause damage. Without saliva to protect them, your tooth enamel is left vulnerable to attack and erosion.

Contact your nearest dental clinic for more information about the foods you should be wary of and how to maintain proper dental health. You may also make an appointment for a checkup if the time has come for one.