So you want to take better care of your teeth? Pay attention to what you are putting in your mouth. Here are some of the top teeth-harming foods to avoid, in no particular order:
1. Hard Candy: Not only are these candies full of sugar—fuel for bad bacteria in your mouth—but they also put you at risk for a dental emergency, such as a broken or chipped tooth.
2. Sticky food: Sticky food, like dried fruit, caramels, or tootsie rolls, are absolutely horrible for your teeth, as they stay on your teeth longer than any other kind of food.
3. Starchy foods: Have you ever noticed how after you eat a potato chip or cracker, the leftover food particles tend to cling to your teeth? That’s the effect of starch.
4. Soda: Pop has high amounts of sugar, allowing bad bacteria in your oral cavity to feed upon itself and produce acid that attacks your tooth enamel. Not only that, but the carbonation dries out your mouth.
Knowledge is power. Now that you know that these foods harm your teeth, you can choose what to do about it. You may want to limit your consumption, eliminate some of them entirely, or upgrade your oral hygiene routine when you do eat these foods. If you do choose to partake, try drinking water and chewing sugarless gum afterward to clean your mouth on the go. And don’t forget to floss once a day and brush your teeth twice a day.
You’ll also want to come see Dr. Brian Kraft at Payson Dental and Orthodontics for your semi-annual dental cleaning and exam. Just call 801-465-7966 in Payson, Utah, to make an appointment. We’ll help you keep your smile in amazing shape.
