Many people think that if they brush and floss their teeth regularly they don't have to worry about food and drinks harming their teeth.
Unfortunately, this is far from true.
Food and drinks can cause big problems in your mouth. So big, in fact, brushing and flossing won't help.
Let's begin with drinks. Acid is the huge concern here.
Tooth enamel is eroded by acid – which is the key element in tooth decay and cavities. Very acidic drinks, such as lemon juice, can erode enamel but are rarely consumed in high enough quantities to be a big problem. Soft drinks, however, are quite acidic. They also provide a concentrated dose of sugar, making them even more harmful on oral and overall health. Keep in mind also that diet soda may lack the sugar, but is still very acidic.
When it comes to food, stickiness is major issue. You don't want to eat foods that stick to teeth. I'm talking about foods like:
- Raisins or any dried fruit.
- Fruit snacks.
- Soft, chewy candy.
- Cookies.
- Caramel Popcorn.
- Breads made from refined starches (white flour).
- Some cereals.
Foods in the mouth are acted on by bacteria, which convert sugar and starch into acidic breakdown products. The longer the acid is in contact with the teeth, known as an “acid bath,” the gre
ater the risk of significant decay. Sticky foods containing sugar or starch that can get caught between teeth tend to pose the biggest threat.
If you simply can't force yourself to stop eating these types of foods, at least force yourself to brush and floss as soon as possible afterwards. Or, at the very least, rinse and swish with water.
Your diet and oral health are undoubtedly linked. But, it's up to you to make them compliment each other. Eating well will always give you something to smile about.
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