Teeth play a vital role in our lives. The major life crucial functions like eating, speaking, and smiling are performed by it. Keeping them strong and clean is a lifelong commitment. If you want to keep them healthy, there are a few snacks and drinks that you should avoid. Before you read this list, brace yourself: some of the snacks might be your favourite. The best way to take care of your mouth is to cut these foods out altogether, but moderation is also helpful. If you can cut back, and brush and floss regularly, your oral health will be better off for it. Without further ado, let’s get into it:
Candy
You didn’t need to read this blog to learn that sugary sweets are bad for your teeth—your parents or guardians probably repeatedly told it to you as you were growing up. Sugar is harmful and will always cause trouble to the teeth. Hard and chewy candies with artificial sweeteners are bad for your mouth, so resist the temptation to eat them whenever you can.
Carbonated Beverages & Sports Drinks
It’s common knowledge that sugary soft drinks are unhealthy for your teeth, but did you know that even sugarless carbonated beverages wear away your enamel? They contain citric and phosphoric acids which are hamrful for our oral health. Moreover, sports drinks are another culprit of cavities. They are loaded with sugar, acid and other harmful preservatives.
After you consume an acidic beverage, you might rush to the washroom and brush the enamel-eating substances off your teeth. Since the acid makes your enamel vulnerable, it’s better to wait 30-60 minutes; otherwise, the abrasion can damage your teeth severly. Rinse properly with water in the meantime.
Coffee
This beverage is beloved by Canadians. A recent study by the Coffee Association of Canada found that 2/3 of Canadians drink one cup of coffee per day (at least). Coffee helps us feel more alert and improves our concentration. Unfortunately, it can be bad for our teeth. Not only is it an acidic beverage, but it also stains teeth. Drinking coffee dries out your mouth, which allows cavities to flourish. For the health of your mouth, consider cutting out or cutting back on coffee. If you can’t give up your morning espresso, at least try to stop adding sugar to it.
Starchy Foods
Starch products don’t always seem sugary (bread, pasta, and potato chips), but the saliva in your mouth turns starches into sugars, making them just as damaging as sweets. Those crunchy potato chips can easily get wedged between your teeth—use a string of floss to get them loose. To cut back on starches, eat more fresh vegetables.
Ice
When ice is used to cool a drink, there’s no harm in it—the problem arises when it’s chewed as ice can chip or crack your teeth, leading to an expensive dental emergency.
Dried Fruits
Mangoes, bananas, and apricots—they make delicious dried treats, but their chewy and sticky properties aren’t very good for your teeth. Since they’re loaded with sugar, they can quickly cause cavities.
A healthy diet will contribute to a healthy set of teeth. To make sure your oral health is in top shape, visit a dental clinic in Winnipeg regularly. WestSide Dental Group has a team of experienced Winnipeg dentists and hygienists that can clean, treat, and repair your teeth at an affordable price.
