Maintaining strong and healthy teeth can be a tricky business; you’re supposed to brush at least twice day, floss regularly, rinse your mouth with reputable mouth wash products and visit the dentist at least once every six months but even that isn’t enough. To maintain really healthy teeth and preserve your pearly whites you’re going to have to take quite a few things out of your diet. Some are obvious but some may surprise you. Here’s a quick look at some of the more unknown offenders out there:
It goes without saying that candies and sweets, hard or soft aren’t going to be doing your teeth any favors but if you can’t cut them out of your life completely there are compromises that you can make. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, it’s best to enjoy a type of candy that isn’t acidic, isn’t sticky and doesn’t have to stay in your mouth for a second longer than necessary. If you’re into lollipops or rock candy, it’s time to say goodbye to them now, or say goodbye to your teeth in future! Another good way to balance a candy craving and keeping your teeth healthy is to brush right after eating. Getting the sticky sugar and acid out of your mouth is priority number one!
Coffee is another one to watch out for. ‘What is so damaging about a morning caffeine kick?’ Take a look at the inside of your coffee cup after you’ve finished and it should be self-explanatory. Coffee stains everything; your teeth won’t fare any better than a white porcelain cup here! Some say that ‘the darker the beverage, the darker the stain’ and there aren’t many drinks that can get darker than coffee. If you need a coffee, be sure to brush your teeth after you consume it, especially if you take it with sugar too!
If you’re taking your Gin and Tonic with a twist of lemon, surprisingly it’s the lemon that’s causing the most damage. Of course, alcohol is never recommended by any health professional, especially spirits which can dry your mouth but it’s actually the citric acid in lemons which causes some of the most damage in teeth. Grapefruit is another bad guy here too. If you’re looking for good sources of vitamin C, try taking your citrus in juice form, especially as many named brands have added vitamins such as calcium and vitamin D, which benefit you all around too!
So, you’ve got your vitamin enriched fruit juice in hand and you’re preparing a snack; what have you got there? Did you know that starchy foods, such as soft breads, savory pastries and potato chips are also on the ‘naughty list’? These types of foods have a tendency to leave crumbs behind that get stuck in, under, around and between your teeth. They can become a breeding ground for bacteria and can leave some lasting damage if they get left unchecked. If you’re going to tuck in to something starchy, prepare to get the floss out and make sure you dig the remnants out!
So, it’s not all about sugary drinks, cigarettes and red wine, is it? If you’d like more information about what’s hot and what’s not, take a trip to your nearest dentist for the latest in dental hygiene!
Analyan Killiana
