Maintaining good dental health is important for everyone. One of the best ways to keep your teeth healthy and sparkling is by avoiding certain foods and drinks.
Some of the worst offenders for bad teeth are sugary drinks and snacks, acidic fruits, and sticky candy. It’s important to maintain a balanced diet and brush your teeth at least twice a day to keep your pearly whites shining!
Food and Drinks to Avoid
Sugary drinks and snacks
Sugary drinks and snacks are a big no-no – they’re packed with sugar and acid which can break down tooth enamel over time. They wash your teeth in sticky and sugary solutions, and they’re acidic to boot. If you do consume sugary products, make sure to brush your teeth afterward.
Acidic fruits
Certain fruits are often considered as bad for your teeth because they may contain sugars or acids that can wear away at your teeth. Avoiding acidic fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges is also important as citrus juices can erode dental enamel.
Alcohol
Many may know that drinking alcohol isn’t exactly healthy. But did you know that when you drink, you dry out your mouth? A dry mouth lacks saliva, which we need to keep teeth healthy.
Saliva prevents food from sticking to your teeth and washes away food particles. It even helps repair early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections. To help keep your mouth hydrated, drink plenty of water and use fluoride rinses and oral hydration solutions.
Sticky candy
Things like lollipops, caramels, and cough drops that have refined sugar should be avoided. Sticky candies are tempting but can also damage your teeth, so try to avoid them where possible.
Things You Can Do to Protect Your Teeth
Swap in sugar alternatives
Switching out your sugary drinks and snacks for sugar-free substitutes is a great move for your teeth. Sugar substitutes like aspartame or sugar alcohols are not metabolized by bacteria like regular sugars, so they don’t contribute to dental decay. But keep in mind that the acids in diet sodas will still cause some demineralization of your teeth.
Chew sugar-free gum
Sugar-free gum can slow down the acid production of mouth bacteria. Sugar-free gum with xylitol, when chewed three times a day, has been shown to increase your salivary flow, and also has an antimicrobial effect. So if you’re craving something sweet between meals, a sugar-free xylitol gum is one of your best options.
Get regular checkups
Tooth decay is the most common noncommunicable disease worldwide. Having regular dental checkups every six months is usually enough to catch any decay before it gets too serious.
Seeing a professional is important because once a cavity has formed enough for you to notice it, you are well into dental decay.
Conclusion
Keeping up with good dental habits doesn’t have to be difficult or boring. With just a few simple steps you can keep your pearly whites looking great for years to come.
Maintaining a balanced diet with plenty of dental-friendly snacks, brushing twice a day, and avoiding sugary drinks and snacks, acidic fruits and sticky candy will ensure your dental health is on point.
And don’t forget to visit the dentist every six months for a professional cleaning – your teeth will be thankful!
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