As any dentist will tell you, there are some foods and drinks that should not be consumed if you’re not mindful about your oral hygiene. Highly acidic drinks can destroy your enamel, and certain foods can become lodged and stuck in your teeth. With this article, we’ll look at five foods that are awful for your dental health, and how you can reduce the damage if you do consume them.
SODA:
This first one should come as no surprise. Any dentist in Southgate MI (or anywhere for that matter), will tell you how bad soda is for your teeth and your overall health. When you consume your favorite soft drink, you’re essentially coating your teeth in acid. Extreme consumption of soda can have lasting effects. This highly acidic drink enables plaque buildup which destroys your enamel, leaving your teeth susceptible to temperature changes, normal chewing, and biting. Soda will also dry out your mouth, eliminating saliva to help break down foods. Dark colored sodas are even worse, as they’re known to cause cosmetic damage to your teeth, like stains and discoloration. We advise all our patients not to drink soda, but if you must, the very least you can do is chase it with water right afterwards. Drinking soda with a meal can help to neutralize the acids as well, and drinking with a straw helps eliminate contact with the teeth a little more too.
BREAD:
This is usually surprising for a lot of people. Bread seems like a very neutral food to eat, with few complications except for extra carbs. When you chew bread, you break down the starches, and create sugar. We all know how bad sugar is for our teeth, but most people don’t know about that chemical reaction. Bread often turns into a paste-like substance when eating, and this makes it easier to stick to your teeth. Whole wheat bread can help combat these issues, as it’s lower on sugar.
VINEGAR:
No dentist (or anyone, for that matter) would expect vinegar to be drunk like water or soda, but it’s a common ingredient in a lot of our foods. We often see this acidic liquid in salad dressings, sauces, and potato chips. If you’re in love with salt and vinegar chips, we have some bad news. Vinegar can cause enamel erosion for your teeth, which can then cause permanent damage to your teeth over time. Like most foods on this list, chasing a vinegar-filled food with water can be a huge help to your overall dental health.
SOUR CANDIES:
Chewing these sugar covered candies can create a dangerous pool of acid that coats your teeth, destroying enamel. Gummy candies can also stick to your teeth, and cause decay and other damage. When you’re craving something on the sweeter side, then perhaps a bit of chocolate will do the trick (in moderation, of course).
COFFEE:
Coffee is well known for causing tough and resistant stains on your teeth, and easily dries out your mouth. Additionally, this caffeine filled drink can make your teeth sticky, and chips away at your enamel. We recommend drinking water (a common theme here!) soon after you have your daily cup of coffee, and to avoid adding sugar at all costs.
For more information on what foods can be harmful to your teeth, speak to your dentist at your next appointment. Don’t have one scheduled yet? Call today at 734-288-7132.
