Below, your local dentist in Indianapolis points out five foods that can cause serious damage to your mouth as well as the best way to care for them.
Five Foods That Cause Major Damage to Your Teeth
When it comes to your teeth, sugar, and acid are the two more damaging things you eat or drink. In fact, naturally existing bacteria in your mouth converts sugar into acid, making it doubly as damaging. But what foods specifically cause major damage?
- Citrus Fruit: Citrus fruits are naturally acidic. This includes lemons, oranges, grapes, pineapples and more. While these types of fruits are good for your body, sucking on them or chewing them for prolonged periods of time kicks of your mouth’s demineralizing process. (This process occurs when your saliva becomes acidic and dissolves the calcium in your tooth enamel instead of enhancing it. This can lead to cavities and other dental issues.)
- Sodas & Fruit Juices: Soda and fruit juices contain sugar an acid. However, they are most dangerous to your mouth if you swish them around before swallowing. (Straws can also help prevent these liquids from sitting on your teeth for too long.)
- Candy: Hard candy requires you to keep the sugary-bit in your mouth for a prolonged period of time. Sticky candy, while faster to swallow, leaves gunk stuck to your teeth, preventing your saliva from being able to clean the area.
- Sports Drinks: Sports drinks are actually thicker than some other beverages. Because of this, they are more likely to stick to your teeth and between them, leaving sugary-residue all over.
- Dried Fruits: Dried fruits are sticky. Like sticky candy, these fruits can get stuck to your teeth, leaving sugar all over the surface of your teeth. Because your oral bacteria does not distinguish between the types of sugars in your mouth, these traces of sticky fruit are turned into an acid that harms the enamel on your teeth.
How to Care For Your Teeth after Eating Acidic Food
After eating acidic foods, it is important to rinse your mouth with water. This helps to immediately remove demineralizing, acidic saliva and food remnants. Brushing and flossing regularly is also important if you want to thoroughly remove these dangerous chemical traces. (It also helps to reduce staining!)
Why Clarity Dentistry is the Best Dentist in Indianapolis
While good oral hygiene can help reduce the effects of these foods and beverages, visiting your local dentist in Indianapolis twice a year is vital. The knowledgeable, compassionate staff at Clarity Dentistry strive to provide you with the best preventative care possible.
If you would like to learn more about your local dentist in Indianapolis, contact Clarity Dentistry today!
