Though teeth whitening and implants are great for stained and weak teeth, taking pre-emptive measures is critical to retaining a natural dental structure. Constant exposure to certain food items such as sweets is very harmful for your teeth; such foods can discolour our teeth and cause plaque (a sticky bacterial deposition on the outer surface of your teeth). Actually, sugar leads to bacterial growth in your mouth which in turn releases acids that weaken enamel; this subsequently causes cavities. The professionals at Dr. Richard Wilczek Inc advise brushing your teeth twice daily along with flossing, avoiding sweet or sticky food and visiting your dentist regularly for good oral health.
Which Foods to Avoid for Better Teeth Sweets and chewy substances may seem harmless but too much of these can cause dental problems. The top food items that contribute to dental issues are: 1. Sour Candies – Although sweets are harmful to your teeth, sour candies are worse. They contain different types of acids in amounts that significantly increase tooth decay. Their chewy and sticky nature makes them difficult to washout. 2. Bread – When you chew on substances made from refined flour, the saliva in your mouth breaks down the starch into sugar. The gummy paste sticks in between the teeth, which is difficult to clean. To avoid this, you can opt for less-refined varieties of wheat that are not so starchy. Always go for non-packaged food items, which have no added sugar. 3. Alcohol – Drinking alcohol has never been good for your liver and its negative effects also extend to your teeth. Whenever you drink, your mouth dehydrates, causing less saliva production. Saliva is very important as it continuously washes food particles sticking to your teeth, reducing oral diseases and infections. Drink water whenever possible in between alcohol consumption. Apart from staying hydrated, you can rinse your mouth with fluoride and oral hydration solutions. 4. Carbonated Drinks – Soda or carbonated drinks have huge side-effects. They react with the plaque and produce more acid, causing cavities. It also dries out the mouth, which means less saliva production. When you have carbonated soda, it stains and corrodes your tooth enamel. Brush immediately after drinking soda to mitigate this. 5. Ice – Many of us love chewing ice. It might be just water but it’s not a good habit as it’s hard. Chipped, cracked or broken teeth are common results of chewing very hard substances. Chill your drinks with ice but don’t chomp on them. 6. Citrus – All citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits and lemons are packed with vitamin C, which erodes your teeth enamel. Citrus juice also aggravates mouth sores. This doesn’t mean you should stop consuming these as they have important antioxidants and vitamins. The amount, however, must be controlled and you must rinse your mouth with water after consumption. 7. Caffeine – Coffee and tea in limited quantities and with less sugar are not harmful. However, too much sugar and caffeine dry your mouth and consequently, the chances of cavities increase in the absence of saliva. Excessive consumption also stains your teeth. For a bright and sparkling smile, choose our teeth whitening services. 8. Crunchy Snacks – Snacks like potato chips are filled with starch and stick to the teeth or get trapped in between them. You should take care to floss and remove all the particles from your mouth. 9. Dried Fruits – Dried fruits like raisins, figs and prunes are healthy snack options. They are chewy and have high amounts of sugar in them. They cling to the gaps in between teeth, increasing chances of decay. Care for your teeth by having fresh fruits, less refined cereals, fewer sweets and soft food substances. Contact our dentists today for services like teeth whitening, orthodontic care and teeth implants.