You probably already know that brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly is important for your oral health. But your diet may have more of an impact on it than you may realize. Dr. William Huckin, a dentist in Dallas, TX, highlights five foods you should avoid or limit to benefit your oral health.
1. Hard Candy
Chewy candy is something most of us know is bad for our teeth. But hard candy isn’t a better alternative. While it doesn’t get stuck in your teeth, it releases sugar into your mouth the entire time it’s dissolving. Harmful oral bacteria feed off of the sugar and emit an acidic byproduct. This is what leads to tooth decay and cavities.
Hard candy can also cause you to have a dental emergency. If you bite down on it at the wrong angle or before it’s dissolved enough, you can crack or break your tooth. If you’re lucky, it’ll be a cosmetic issue. However, if it’s more serious, it leads to the need for restorative dentistry ASAP to correct the problem.
2. Sports Drinks
These are often used as a healthier substitute for soda or energy drinks. But if you check the nutrition label, you’ll see that they’re on par with these drinks for the amount of sugar they contain. Many are flavored with citric acid as well. If you combine a high amount of sugar with acid that wears down your tooth enamel, it’s a recipe for dental problems.
3. Dried Fruit
Fruit is one of the better things you can eat for your oral and overall health. But make sure you stick to the fresh variety. Dried fruit is concentrated with more sugar and loses nutrients in the drying process. The texture is usually gummy and chewy as well, making it more likely to get stuck in your teeth. With this combination, dried fruit isn’t much better than chewy candy.
4. Crackers and Chips
Salty snacks may not be things you think you have to worry about. However, they’re both made up of starches that break down into sugars as they’re chewed and digested. Chip pieces are easily stuck between teeth and crackers turn into a kind of paste that gets stuck in the crevices of your molars. Make sure you rinse your mouth out with water after a salty snack.
5. Ice
Water is one of the best things for your teeth if you’re drinking it. Water in its frozen form can cause some issues. Having a habit of regularly chewing ice can increase the rate of wear and tear on your teeth. And biting down at the wrong angle or time can lead to emergency dentistry, just like hard candy. When you’re consuming water, stick to the liquid form.
Regular Checkups at Your Dallas, Texas Dentist
Make sure you’re seeing your dentist regularly to ensure your diet isn’t ruining your teeth. Call us or schedule an appointment online.