Orthodontics: More than just Cosmetic
April 11, 2017Tobacco and Oral Health
June 9, 2017We applaud you for taking care of your health and consuming good-for-you foods. But, even foods that are good for your body are not always good for your teeth. (By no means does that mean stop eating them!) If you frequently consume the following foods, you’ll want to make sure you’re also giving your teeth some extra attention.
Fruits (& Fruit Juices)
It feels good to grab an apple, orange, or other fruit as a snack, instead of reaching for chips or cookies. But remember that fruits, especially citrus fruits (such as oranges and grapefruits), contain acid that wears away enamel. Dried fruits such as raisins can also be harmful to teeth because of their sugar concentration and stickiness.
When possible, opt for fresh—not dried—fruit, and remember to sip some water after you eat to reduce the acid lingering in your mouth.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates have a very questionable past in the health world. They were good, then bad, and are now regaining their popularity (in moderation). Healthy sources of carbs include brown rice, sweet potatoes, and other whole-grain options.
The issue with carbohydrates and teeth is that carbohydrates are converted to sugars, which we all know is not good for enamel. There are also sometimes issues with these foods getting stuck between teeth, furthering the problem.
If you experience getting food stuck between teeth be sure to carry dental floss for after snacks or meals. Swishing with water or brushing is also a great method to wash away some of the sugars left by carbohydrates.
(Side note: Although we recommend brushing after carbohydrates, remember that you should not brush immediately after consuming citrus foods, due to the acid causing weakened enamel.)
Chewable Vitamins
Ever wonder why your chewable vitamins don’t taste that bad? Sugar. We won’t repeat ourselves on why sugar is bad… we’ll just keep to recommending that you choose a vitamin in pill form, whenever possible.
Dark foods
Who doesn’t love a handful of blueberries? They are delicious and full of great nutrients. However, they’re also full of dark pigment, which can discolor your teeth. (Same goes with other dark foods like cranberries, blackberries, and pomegranate.)
Don’t let their dark color stop you, but make sure to swish water after your snack!
Black & Herbal Tea
Tea is said to have incredible benefits, however, there are minor drawbacks to both black and herbal tea. With black tea, the main concern is discoloration, due to its dark color. For herbal tea, the issue is enamel erosion, since some flavors are slightly acidic.
If you’re not drinking several cups of tea a day, this one may not be much of an issue. But if you are an all-day tea sipper, be sure to mix some plain water into the line-up.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leonard, contact us at 952-443-3368.