According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cavities are one of the most common problems among children. Some other problems such as pain, chewing problems, and abscess formation are also commonly heard of in adults these days. But what leads to all of them? Two prevalent reasons. Number one is poor dental hygiene, and number two is the consumption of teeth-damaging foods.
Our dentist in Pimpri Chinchwad has found some common food types leading to teeth damage. Here is a list.
Sugary Foods
Sugary foods stick on enamel and cause bacterial germination, leading to plaque formation, cavities, and tooth decay. Thus, sugary food is not only bad for health but teeth also.
Oily Foods
Oily food coats teeth with an oily film that hampers enamel over time. Along with other food items, it sticks on teeth, but for longer, giving the dirt passage to the dental crevices, which is not so easy to clean. Hence, consuming oily foods hampers oral hygiene in the long term.
Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated/ Aerated drinks should be strictly avoided because, firstly, they are concentrated sugar solutions that lead to tooth decay. Secondly, their carbonated content is very harsh on teeth and erodes enamel and dentine, causing tooth sensitivity. If you crave to have a drink, you must use a straw to bypass your teeth.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a fermented compound that causes dry mouth. It also makes the mouth susceptible to cancer. And regular alcoholic consumption converts to an irresistible habit, which is bad both for health and teeth. Hence, this practice must be discontinued.
Bread
Bread dissolves in saliva and converts to starch. Chewing bread quickly converts starch into sugars that remain stuck in teeth and form breeding grounds for bacterial germination. Hence, refined flour bread should be avoided and instead, whole grain bread must be preferred with lower starch content and does not convert to sugar easily.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are good for teeth and gums, aren’t they? Well, it is not always true. Sometimes drinking your favorite orange juice or eating fresh tangerine fruit leads to the sizzling sensation of teeth called sensitivity. This is because the acidic content erodes enamel and exposes the dentine, which gives sensitivity in contacting acidic flush. Therefore, citrus fruits essentially must be consumed in moderation, and straws must be used to omit teeth contact.
There are other foods, such as ice, refined carbs, potato chips, etc., which are regularly consumed but, in turn, they damage teeth. Therefore, these foods must be consumed in moderation and with caution to have the least negative effect on your smile.
