10 Foods and Drinks That Are Hurting Your Smile
While brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist for regular checkups are all key to achieving a bright, healthy smile, it’s also important to watch what you eat. Certain foods and beverages can wreak havoc on your oral health, and that means you should limit them as much as possible.
During your comprehensive exam, Dr. Danny Moosa and the team at Parkway Family Dental will take the time to learn about your oral health goals, and what habits may be keeping you from meeting them. They’ll discuss proper home care, as well as go over the food and drinks you should avoid and why. You’ll leave the Polaris, Ohio, based office with a much better understanding of your dental condition, and the foods and drinks that could hurt your oral health.
Curious what foods and beverages you should start limiting for a healthier smile? We’ve put together 10 of the worst foods and drinks for your teeth—and a few of them just might surprise you.
Sticky candy like caramels and tootsie rolls tend to cling to teeth longer than other foods—and that gives them more time to do damage. And, unfortunately, it’s not just candy that can cause problems. Even though it may seem like a healthy snack, dried fruit can do damage as well.
Can’t get enough dried cranberries? Eat them in moderation. Dr. Moosa also recommends rinsing your mouth out with water, then brushing and flossing after enjoying your snack.
We love chocolate too, but it’s loaded with sugar that can hurt your smile. The sugar in chocolate becomes a food source for acid-producing bacteria that erode enamel. It also can cause cavities and decay. So, enjoy your chocolate treats in moderation.
We all know pop isn’t exactly good for us. Even the diet options that are touted as a better alternative aren’t what anyone would describe as healthy. They’re also no good for your smile.
If you sip on sugary drinks like soda, bacteria will feed on that sugar, producing acid that weakens your enamel. And if your soda of choice contains caffeine, it’s going to dry out your mouth. Prefer dark sodas? Then staining can be a problem, too. Make pop a rare treat and be sure to pair it with water when you do indulge.
Think those carbonated drinks you’ve swapped out your pop for are a better option for your teeth? Think again. They still contain sugar, artificial sweeteners and other acids, all of which can cause damage, especially if you sip on these drinks throughout the day. Limit your intake and keep that glass of water nearby.
While these drinks do have some health benefits, adding sugar or artificial sweeteners puts your teeth at risk. And if you prefer the caffeinated versions, coffee and tea will dry out your mouth. And like dark sodas, both beverages can stain your teeth.
Removing coffee and tea from your daily menu may be difficult, but do try to cut back on the number of cups and keep the added sugar and creamers to a minimum.
That glass of wine or beer you have at the end of the day could lead to dehydration or dry mouth. That reduces your saliva flow, leaving you vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease. And we all know red wine can stain your teeth.
While it can be tempting to chew on the remaining ice in your cup on a hot summer day, try to resist. Doing so can have you headed to Dr. Moosa’s Polaris, Ohio, based office for an emergency visit.
Foods like oranges and lemons contain a lot of acid (as do the drinks made from them) that can erode your enamel, especially if you eat them daily. Adding a twist of lemon or lime to your water also can cause problems, so stick to the plain variety as much as possible.
What’s wrong with potato chips, you ask? They’re full of starch that can break down into sugar in your mouth, causing cavities. Just remember to floss after you finish off your favorite bag of chips.
Like potato chips, bread is full of starch that can break down into sugar, causing plaque buildup and cavities. When you’re ready for a sandwich, look for options with less sugar, like whole grain.
Knowing which foods and drinks will damage your oral health can help you achieve the beautiful, bright smile you’ve always wanted. If you can avoid, or at the very least limit, foods that stain your teeth, erode enamel and cause cavities, you’ll have a much healthier smile.
Dr. Moosa and the Polaris, Ohio, based Parkway Family Dental team can educate you about the best and worst foods for your teeth, and help find the source of any current dental concerns. They will serve as a partner in your care, guiding you and providing the treatment you need to reach your oral health goals.
Ready to meet Dr. Moosa and his Polaris, Ohio, based team? Give Parkway Family Dental a call today to schedule an appointment.
Please call 614.854.0101 or click below to schedule an appointment online. We can't wait to meet you!