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5 Foods To Avoid

Eating food that can be unhealthy for your teeth can contribute to plaque and tooth decay. Throughout this blog, you will discover which food you should avoid, or at the very least restrict, in order to maintain your teeth as healthy as possible.

Sugar

This one is quite obvious, as sugar is the leading cause of tooth decay. If you must have lollies, choose those that dissolve rapidly in your mouth. Caramels, lollipops, hard-boiled lollies, and jellybeans, for example, make it more difficult for your saliva to wash away the sugar.

However, if you are a sweet tooth, removing them from your diet completely can seem impossible. The best time to have sugar is after a large meal rather than between meals. Also, if at all feasible, wash your teeth after eating anything sugary.

Carbonated Drinks

Acid is present in soft drinks, whether sugar-free or not. They can be harmful to teeth, leading to increased tooth decay. Soft drinks should be avoided if you want to maintain your healthy teeth. Instead, drink unsweetened tea or water. If you must consume soft drinks, avoid cleaning your teeth shortly afterwards since acid dissolves the structure of your teeth, leaving them more sensitive to abrasion.

Citrus

Citrus fruits may be an important part of a healthy diet, contributing to vitamin C. However, if you consume a large amount of it on its own, the citric acid in the fruit can erode away at your dental enamel, leaving your teeth prone to decay. Lemons, limes, and grapefruit, in particular, are quite acidic. When drinking juice, use a straw to allow some of the acids to flow through your teeth.

Pickles

Because of the high sugar content and acidity, both sweet and sour pickled foods are terrible for your teeth. Pickles’ acidity erodes the enamel of your teeth, exposing them to issues such as cavities.

It may sound unusual but eating pickles or other sour pickled foods with cheese can actually counteract the effects of acid. This is due to the fact that the calcium included in cheese will neutralise the acid. Gum containing xylitol has the same effect.

Popcorn

Popcorn produces lactic acid in your mouth, which frequently causes husks to become lodged in your teeth. Not to add that un-popped kernels are infamous for shattering teeth if not handled with care. Popcorn, while sometimes marketed as a tasty, healthier alternative to potato chips, is nonetheless not good for your dental health.

You’re unlikely to want to fully eliminate all of the aforementioned meals and beverages from your diet. Fortunately, you may continue to consume your favourite snacks and meals with the aid of frequent professional tooth cleanings. Make an appointment with your dentist at least once a year to have your beautiful whites properly cleaned. This will reduce plaque build-up and maintain your teeth in good condition. If you haven’t gone to the dentist in a while, making an appointment for a clean might help you get your dental health back on track. Get in touch with us today!

Real Dentistry

Author Real Dentistry

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