Did you know that what you eat impacts your teeth just as much as brushing, flossing and dental hygiene practices do? That doesn’t mean you should brush your teeth every time you eat. Actually—doing that will hurt your teeth more than help them! Instead, try to avoid the worst foods for your teeth, and reach for tooth-friendly alternatives.
Sour candy
Pro tip: anything sticky, gooey or chewy is generally bad for your teeth. Each of these textures has a tendency to linger on your teeth, causing cavities and gum disease. Instead of reaching for the sour gummy worms, pick up a dark chocolate bar when you’re craving something sweet. Dark chocolate also contains natural chemicals that limit the oral bacteria leading to gum disease and bad breath!
Ice
There’s no sugar in ice, so you may be deceived into thinking it’s harmless to your teeth. However, chewing on ice can damage your tooth enamel! If you need something to chew on, opt for sugar-free gum instead. Gum won’t damage your tooth enamel and it helps clean the mouth by increasing saliva production.
Citrus fruit
The acid in citrus fruits can wear away teeth enamel. Lemons, limes and grapefruit are the most harmful of citrus fruits as they contain the most acid. When searching for a fruit, grab strawberries for both the healthy vitamins and a dose of malic acid—a natural tooth whitener.
Pickles
In a 2004 study, English teenagers who ate pickles more than once a day increased their odds of teeth wear by 85%. As long as you’re not eating multiple pickles a day, your teeth should be fine. But if you want a more tooth-friendly snack option, choose fresh veggies. Fibrous vegetables help produce saliva and stimulate healthy gums.
Don’t worry if you’ve been eating lots of sour candy, book a cleaning with Jackson Dental now by calling (573) 243-5200 or stopping by our office at 3100 E Jackson Blvd., Jackson, Mo.