“You are what your eat.” As for that saying, your teeth bear the brunt of what you eat, literally! Just how rest of your body is affected by the foods you consume, so are your teeth. If you stuff your face with junk on a regular basis, you will put your health at risk, including your oral health. With National Junk Food Day coming up on July 21, we want to shine some light on the not so tooth-friendly foods.
Acidic: Acid is one of the teeth’s biggest offenders. Acid erodes tooth enamel, which can cause tooth decay. Citrus foods like grapefruit, lemons, limes, and oranges might be super healthy in terms of vitamin C and nutrients, but they can wreak havoc on your teeth. Same goes for tomatoes. Be mindful about that morning glass of OJ, flavoring your water with lemon, or slurping up spaghetti sauce. Always wait a little while before brushing your teeth after consuming acid foods to minimize enamel damage.
Alcoholic: Ever wake up after a night of a few too many feeling parched? Well, alcohol dehydrates your body. Keep in mind that saliva is nature’s way of cleansing the mouth, and alcohol slows down saliva production, which can increase the risk for cavities. Despite the circulating studies of how a glass of vino does the body good, wine is actually highly acidic, particularly white wine. Oh, and the red stuff can tint your smile a lovely shade of bordeaux. In some cases, usually when consumed excessively, alcohol can even cause of oral cancer.
Caffeinated: Similar to wine, there’s a lot hype about how “x-amount” cups of coffee can do wonders for such and such. No doubt caffeine is a lifeline for many of us, but it can also dry out your mouth. Coffee and tea are known to stain teeth over time. So if you must caffeinate, do so cautiously, perhaps in moderation and with a straw (reusable of course).
Carbonated: Soda is probably your teeth’s worst enemy because it contains acid and sugar (double whammy), which are some of the biggest culprits for dental problems. Carbonated drinks are acidic, dry out the mouth, and can stain teeth. Don’t be duped by the label “diet” because it’s still a no-no, plus it can contain other harmful ingredients.
Chewy: Sticky food too!…The two go hand-in-hand. Sinking your teeth into a PB&J or refueling with a granola bar might sound harmless. Chewy foods are prone to embedding themselves into the nooks and crannies of your teeth. Bread, for instance, is turned into a gummy paste when it’s chewed up. Stuff like dried fruit, granola/protein bars, and fruit snacks can stick to teeth, setting up shop for tooth decay.
Crunchy: Carbs that go crunch like cereals, chips, crackers, and cookies make fun and easy snacks, but hello, starch! Once these starchy foods mix with the enzymes in your saliva, BAM!…They turn into sugar. These crunchy munchies also make themselves cozy in the crevices between your teeth, where they can harbor bacteria and cause cavities.
Hard: Sometimes we bite off more than we can chew, and that can be at the expense of a chipped or cracked tooth as well as damaged tooth enamel. Try to refrain from chewing on ice cubes or cracking popcorn pits. Also, beware of hard candy.
Sweet: Sweets make life sweet! Cakes, cookies, candy, sugar galore. Candy can be sweet, sugary, chewy, and sticky. Stuff like taffy, licorice, caramels, and gummies are the worst of the worst. Although the opposite of sweet, sour candies still contain a lot of sugar, and what makes them even worse is the acid, which wears away your enamel.
Vinegary: Vinegar screams A-C-I-D. So while you might not think eating a pickle is a big “dill”, don’t be fooled. Vinegar has a high acid content, so take it easy on pickled veggies, salad dressings, and “salt and vinegar” flavored snacks.
Hopefully, we didn’t put a damper of your favorite junk food. We all like a dietary “cheat day”. So if you must indulge, carry on in moderation and with proper oral health care. And remember, weakened tooth enamel can lead to tooth decay and other dental problems such as tooth sensitivity and discoloration.
If you would like to make an appointment for an exam, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.