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Lollies might look harmless but, consuming too much sugar regularly is harmful to anyone’s teeth. What you eat reflects the health of your gums and teeth.
Starchy foods are not just food to you, but also to the germs in your mouth, leading to tooth decay or other diseases such as gum disease.
Many foods and drinks cause plaques, which can cause serious damage to your teeth. This is because plaques result in serious dental issues such as gingivitis, periodontal diseases, tooth decay or even tooth loss.
Besides brushing, flossing and seeing a professional dentist, avoid the following foods to have a healthy oral and dental life:
Sticky and sour lollies
If you really have to eat candies, go for those that clear out after a short time. Avoid caramels and lollipops which take a long time to finish and often are sticky and stay on your teeth for longer. Scientists now believe that substituting regular lollies for chocolate will help to reduce cases of cavities.
Sour candies produce various types of acids, which can be a little tough to your teeth. Most sour candies are sticky. They therefore stay on your teeth for a long period, increasing your risk of tooth decay or cavities.
Starchy foods
Starchy foods such as potato chips and bread will easily get stuck in between your teeth. Here is why you should not eat bread every morning.
When chewing your bread, the saliva in your mouth converts the starch into sugars. At this stage, the bread will have already turned into a sticky paste which will most likely stick in your teeth crevices.
If not brushed and flossed well, the bread stuck in your teeth can cause cavities. Carbohydrates should be a part of your diet.
However, make sure that you choose starchy foods that are less refined. For instance, whole wheat products are easy to break since they contain less added sugar.
Carbonated soft drinks and alcohol
Soft drinks are the top sources of added sugar in many peoples diet worldwide. Most soft drinks are loaded with sugars. Even worse, some of these drinks contain citric and phosphoric acids, both of which cause the tooth enamel to wear out.
Drinking alcohol causes a dry mouth. Your mouth needs adequate saliva to keep your teeth healthy. Saliva plays an important role in washing down food particles after a meal, preventing them from sticking in between your teeth.
Using oral hydration solutions such as drinking plenty of water will help to keep your mouth hydrated, therefore protecting you from cavities and other dental issues.
Ice
Many people tend to assume that it is okay to chew ice cubes since they are just water. Well, it is true that ice is water. However, chewing hard substances can damage the enamel.
Worst case scenario is that you might find yourself with dental emergencies such as loose crowns, cracked, chipped or even broken teeth.
Never chew on ice cubes. Instead, use them to chill beverages. If you are having an irresistible urge to chew them, just grab some chilled water, and you will be okay.
Citrus
Fruits are good for your overall body health as they are packed with vitamin C. However, citrus fruits such as lemons and grapefruits might affect the health of your teeth. This is because they contain acids that can erode enamel, increasing your chances of getting tooth decay.
The same case applies even when you squeeze a lemon into your drinking water. Drinking plenty of water and rinsing your teeth after having a meal which has contained citrus acid will help to protect your dental health.
Regular dental visits are essential to maintaining healthy teeth for the whole family. The friendly team at Lake haven Dental Surgery are happy to assist you. Give them a call today to tee up an appointment.
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