What you eat can impact the overall health of your teeth, gums, and mouth.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is more than simply brushing and flossing every day. What you eat can impact the overall health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. While it is great to enjoy a wide variety of foods and indulge in your favorites occasionally, some foods are worse for your teeth than others. Let’s go over which foods are bad for your teeth.
Hard or Sticky Candies
We all enjoy a delicious sweet once in a while, but some candies negatively affect your teeth. Hard candies, such as lollipops, are twice as harmful because of the high sugar content, plus they can lead to chips, cracks, or fractures in your teeth. In addition, stick candies, like caramel or taffy, have high sugar content, and they can get stuck between your teeth or even damage dental appliances or fillings.
Popcorn
Popcorn is touted as a healthy snack alternative, but it can be hard on your teeth. This salty snack is bad for your teeth because pieces can get wedged deep in between teeth or gums. Also, unpopped kernels can crack a tooth or two, so be careful when grabbing a snack. And always remember to floss after eating popcorn!
Ice
Many people find crunching on ice very satisfying, but it can be harmful to your teeth. Ice is notoriously tough on enamel, especially for chronic ice-chewers. While there is no sugar or starches in ice, it will eventually wear down the surface of your teeth and weaken the enamel.
Sugary Sodas and Drinks
Anything from sodas to energy drinks and sports drinks can seriously damage your smile. These sugar-filled drinks lead to increased plaque build-up. Many sodas and energy drinks are acidic, as well. Even “sugar-free” drinks have chemical sweeteners, so be sure to rinse your mouth with water after enjoying a sugary drink.
Citrus Fruit
Citrus is healthy in moderation, but too much indulging in citrus fruits can negatively affect your oral health. The citric acid in some fruits can wear away at your tooth enamel, which leaves your teeth susceptible to cavities. Lemons, limes, and grapefruit have especially high acid contents. When drinking fruit juices, try using a straw, so some of the acids bypass your teeth.
KEEP YOUR MOUTH HAPPY WITH ANNAPOLIS DENTAL CARE!
Whether it’s a regular check-up you need or a tooth extracted, your dentist in Annapolis is here to serve! Annapolis Dental Care has the expertise and compassion to work with you on improving your oral health. Your comfort and health are our top priorities, and so we go above and beyond to make our patients happy and give them the highest quality care. To set up an appointment today, please give us a call at 410-571-5014 or visit us online. For more oral health tips for you and your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! We are always looking for new patients, so if you live in Arnold, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, MD, come on down!