Orange soda, chocolate chip cookies, pickles – cavity-causing foods usually don’t sneak up on anyone. But sometimes, lesser-known items can pose a threat to your oral health. Keep reading as your dentist in Columbus discusses some sneaky items you should avoid, or at least try to minimize your consumption.
Alcoholic Beverages
The main issue with alcohol is that it dries out your mouth. This is because it dehydrates your body and leads to lower saliva production. Saliva is necessary for your oral health. It helps to neutralize harmful acids and washes away food particles and bacteria.
When your mouth is dryer than normal, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Ultimately, you are more likely to experience halitosis (bad breath) and tooth decay in the future. Drinking water is healthy for a lot of reasons and this is one of them.
Raisins
Raisins provide many nutritional benefits since they have an array of vitamins, healthy fiber, and minerals. However, they aren’t so good for your teeth. Raisins have high sugar content. The bacteria in your mouth love eating sugar and ultimately, you will be more likely to experience tooth decay.
The biggest problem with raisins is they stick to teeth and aren’t washed away easily. This snack is definitely one to save for occasional enjoyment.
Cough Syrup
Even though you think of cough syrup as something that will help you feel better when you’re sick, it certainly isn’t doing good things for your smile. There is a lot of sugar in this product to fuel the growth of bacteria. Ingredients like citric acid can also wear down the protective enamel of your teeth, leaving them in danger of decay.
Saltine Crackers
If you aren’t feeling too well, you may find yourself curled up on the couch with a blanket, your favorite bowl of soup, and some saltines. However, these crackers certainly aren’t doing much for your smile. Starchy snacks are almost as bad for your teeth as sugar is.
They also stimulate bacterial growth and encourage the bacteria to eat away at your protective enamel. In the end, you could have additional cavities.
The next time you are planning to consume these items, keep in mind how they’ll affect your teeth. Be sure to brush your teeth afterward and drink water when you do choose them. By making wise decisions about what you consume, you’ll be able to maintain a healthy smile for many years to come.
About the Author
Dr. Angela Courtney earned her dental doctorate from Ohio State University and studied extensively at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. She is a member of the American Dental Association. It’s very important to Dr. Courtney that patients have pleasant visits during their appointments. She’ll be happy to discuss other sneaky, cavity-causing foods with you during a dental checkup which you can schedule on her website or by calling (614) 451-7393.