If you’ve ever heard the phrase “you are what you eat,” you should know that there is a semblance of truth to this adage. While you won’t turn into a slice of pizza if all you eat is pizza, your body’s health can rapidly degrade if you’re continuously eating unhealthy foods! This is especially true concerning your oral health—and unfortunately, there are many cavity-causing foods out there that can compromise your teeth and gums and cause all sorts of problems for your smile. Keep reading to learn more from your dentist about four of these surprisingly harmful foods.
#1. Saltines
Nothing helps you beat a cold or stomach bug like a bowl of soup paired with some saltine crackers—but saltines are actually quite bad for your pearly whites! They contain processed carbohydrates and starches, which can be just as damaging to your enamel as high amounts of sugar. Saltines are also crushed into a very fine powder as you chew them, which can leave starchy residue in all of the nooks and crannies of your mouth. Needless to say, this powder can be quite difficult to fully clear out.
#2. Raisins
Raisins actually have quite a few nutritional benefits; they’re packed full of vitamins and minerals, they boost your iron levels, they aid your stomach with digestion, and they strengthen your bones! However, that doesn’t mean that they’re great for your oral health. These tiny, dried grapes are naturally high in sugar, with a small box containing roughly as much sugar as a soda or candy bar! Not to mention, raisins are also chewy and sticky and can easily become lodged between your teeth, which only prolongs their exposure to damaging amounts of sugar.
#3. Alcoholic Drinks
Many alcoholic beverages such as beer contain starches that can also harm your teeth. Other types of beverages contain very high amounts of sugar. But the real issue with a lot of these drinks is the fact that they will severely dry out your mouth! Your mouth’s natural flow of saliva is the first line of defense against cavity-causing bacteria, meaning that if your mouth is too dry, you’re giving bacteria an optimal environment to flourish in.
#4. Cough Syrup
Several cough syrups actually contain so much sugar that diabetic patients who use them must often exercise extreme caution, as to not drastically spike their blood sugar levels! That said, even if you don’t have diabetes, you should still be careful when using these products. Even if they are able to effectively suppress a cough or cold, the high amounts of sugar found in many of them can do some pretty serious damage to your enamel! You might consider alternatives such as sugar-free cough drops.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is about much more than brushing and flossing; it’s also about being mindful of your oral habits, including your diet! That said, watching what you eat and avoiding certain foods can unquestionably help you keep your smile healthy and bright.
About the Practice
The team at Bell Road Dental Care of Phoenix is proud to serve patients and families in the area under the leadership of three skilled specialists: Dr. Doug Sewright, Dr. Sierra Ferreira, and Dr. Reza Jafari. Their practice is pleased to offer a wide range of available services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry options. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance: (602) 404-3483.