Your diet plays a big part in your oral health. While you may think you’re doing everything right, like brushing and flossing regularly, your diet may be setting you back. Dr. Sal Lotardo of Bella Smiles, a dentist in Nesconset, Riverhead, and Roslyn, NY, discusses foods you should steer clear of if you want to keep your smile healthy.
You probably already know that chewy candy is something you should avoid. It’s extremely sugary and gets stuck in your teeth. But hard candy isn’t a good substitute for your sweet tooth. First, if you bite down on it at the wrong angle or when it isn’t dissolved enough, you can break, chip, or crack a tooth. This can lead to a dental emergency and quality fix for your tooth.
And while hard candy doesn’t get stuck in the teeth, it releases sugar into your mouth the entire time it’s dissolving. Harmful oral bacteria use it as their main food source, releasing an acidic byproduct. This is what causes tooth decay and the need for things like dental fillings.
While fresh fruit is great as a healthy snack, try to limit how much citrus you consume. Citric acid eats away the tooth enamel and is harmful to your teeth. You can’t brush your teeth right after having citrus, as it can cause more problems. If you’re going to consume citrus, make sure you drink plain water after to try and rinse away the harmful acid.
Fruit is a good choice for your sweet tooth, but make sure it’s the fresh version. Dried fruit is more concentrated with sugar and loses some of its nutritional value when it’s dried. It also has the same chewy, sticky texture as chewy candy. This means you have the problem of getting it stuck in between your teeth and in the crevices of the molars.
The biggest problem with alcohol for your oral health is that it dries out your mouth a lot. Saliva is very beneficial to your oral health. It assists with rinsing away bacteria and sugars. If you’re a heavy drinker, your mouth gets extremely dry. This makes you more likely to suffer from tooth decay or gum disease. Heavy drinking also makes you more at risk for mouth cancer.
Water in its liquid form is one of the best things for your oral health. But when it’s frozen, it can cause some oral problems. Chewing ice is a habit a lot of people have. It wears your teeth down faster, aging them sooner. It also has the same risk as hard candy. If you bite down at the wrong place or time, you’re risking breaking your tooth.
We’ll keep an eye on your oral health and make sure it isn’t ruined because of your diet. Call us or schedule an appointment at our Riverhead, Nesconset, or Roslyn locations!
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