There goes a saying ‘You are what you eat.’ No one knows about this as much as your teeth do, because the variety of foods and drinks we consume everyday are the main cause of plaque, bacteria, and tooth decay.
If you want to start taking care of your teeth, it begins with brushing your teeth at least 2 times a day, flossing regularly, and avoiding these harmful foods and snacks.
1. Sour candy
We already know that candies and sweets are harmful to the teeth. However, sour candies are the most dangerous as they contain many strong harmful acids that can hurt your teeth more than other types of candies. Also, some people snack on these sour candies so much that the sugars get stuck between the teeth over time and cause cavities much easier and faster. If you want to eat sweets, we recommend snacks that can be chewed quickly and easy to clean or brush off.
2. Bread
Did you know that when you’re chewing on bread, the saliva is mixed with starch and it forms sugar? Then there are the crumbs of bread that get stuck between the teeth too. If you don’t brush and clean your teeth thoroughly, it can easily lead to tooth decay. If you want to eat bread, we recommend whole wheat-bread with less sugar as a healthier option.
3. Alcohol
Everyone knows that alcoholic beverages can negatively affect health. But did you know that drinking alcohol can also cause dry mouth? It is a symptom for lack of saliva as well. The advantages of saliva is to help wash away food particles. It is also an important factor in preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral diseases. We recommend drinking plenty of water daily to keep your mouth hydrated.
4. Soft drinks
Whether it is a normal or non-sugar carbonated soft drink, there is already acid in the drink such as soda. When you drink too much, it can be harmful to the teeth and cause tooth decay. Another reason why soft drinks are bad for your teeth is because they also destroy your tooth enamel. Plus, some soft drinks are dark-colored which can make your teeth change color as well. We recommend not to brush your teeth immediately after drinking these because it will actually make your tooth decay faster.
5. Ice
According to the American Dental Association, it is said that chewing ice can damage tooth enamel, cause chipped teeth, cracked teeth, and can even damage crowns. So if you want to drink something cold, you can still drink them normally, but just don’t chew on the ice.
6. Citrus plants
Oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are delicious to eat on their own, or squeezed into juice. They are rich in vitamin C as well. But the amount of acid they contain can damage your tooth enamel. This makes the teeth more vulnerable to decay. In addition, the acids from the fruits can also be a nuisance when you have mouth sores. If you really want to eat these fruits, we recommend consuming them in appropriate amounts, and rinse your mouth with water afterwards to get rid of the acids.
7. French fries
Some people love the crunchy texture of fries. Unfortunately, these flours are loaded with sugar that can easily get stuck between the teeth. It is also a main source of bacteria and plaque as well. If you really want to eat them, make sure you brush your teeth and floss your teeth properly after eating.
8. Dried fruits
You might think that dried fruits are a healthy snack. In fact, many dried fruits such as apricots, prunes, and raisins have a sticky texture which makes it easy to stick to the teeth. Dried fruit also has a lot of sugar (more than you think!) If you like to eat dried fruits regularly, we recommend that you rinse your mouth thoroughly, brush your teeth. and use dental floss every time. The best option would be eating them while still fresh, not dried, as it has much less sugar.
To avoid oral health problems, don’t forget to visit the dentist for a check up and do a teeth cleaning & scaling every 6 months.
If you would like to do teeth cleaning and scaling, please contact us at contact@smileboxclinic.com and our staff will get back to you as soon as possible, or simply call us at +66 94-975-9666.