Keeping your teeth healthy and happy is more than just frequent brushing and visits to the dentist. The food and drinks you put into your mouth play a big role in how healthy your teeth are, and consistently choosing the wrong foods can lead to worn enamel, tooth decay, and cavities.
Here are 5 foods to avoid for better teeth:
Hard Candy
You’ve heard it for as long as you’ve gone to the dentist: Limit how much candy and sweets you eat to keep the cavities at bay. This is still true, but especially as you age, hard candy poses another danger to your teeth. Biting too hard or the wrong way on a piece of hard candy can lead to cracked or chipped teeth and expensive dental work.
Carbonated Drinks
We know soda tastes good. But it’s really bad for your teeth. If you’ve got a daily soda habit, studies have shown that carbonated drinks enable plaque to produce more acid, which then attacks the enamel on your teeth. Carbonated drinks also dry out your mouth, meaning you have less saliva to help wash away the bad substances in your mouth. And, if you drink dark-colored sodas, you’re more likely to have tooth discoloration.
Potato Chips
While they can add a satisfying crunch to your midday meal, potato chips are full of starches that like to get stuck between your teeth. If you don’t floss well enough after eating chips, the starches settle in and become sugars, coating your teeth and breeding bacteria. This can wreak havoc on your gums and teeth, leading to higher incidences of gum disease and tooth decay.
Dried Fruits
Fruit is healthy, and dried fruits should be a healthy portable snack, right? While they may be better for your body than a lot of other choices, most dried fruits are very sticky. When you chew up those raisins or dried apricots, small particles get stuck to and between your teeth, turning into sugar. If you’re going to eat dried fruit, make sure to rinse your mouth with water after eating and brush and floss after.
White Bread
Sandwiches are great, but soft, white bread can be bad for your teeth. As you chew, the starches in the bread are broken down into sugars which settle on and between your teeth. This leads to decay and bacteria growth. Opt for whole grain breads whenever possible, as they’re less sticky. If you can’t avoid white bread, drink plenty of water as you eat and brush and floss your teeth soon after.
Experienced Dentist in Rockville, MD
At Rockville Dental Arts, we know that healthy teeth are the key to a healthy, happy life. Your smile says a lot about you, and we can help you keep that confidence high and that smile bright. Whether you need general dentistry, emergency dental work, or cosmetic dentistry, our experienced dentist gives you the individualized care you need. Schedule your appointment today!
Call our Office at 301-424-2030 Today!