When we think of foods in terms of how they impact our overall health, weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels are the markers we typically focus on. They’re critical, to be sure, but we often forget to consider the affect on our teeth. This can be a costly oversight, since oral health problems can become system-wide threats. Infection from gum disease can spread to the bloodstream if left unchecked and poison the whole body and damage the heart. That’s a worst-case scenario, but it happens. This post will take a closer look at a trio of common foods or beverages you should avoid for the sake of your smile and your general well-being.
Soda and Carbonated Drinks
Candy is a known threat to your teeth, and sour and chewy candies are particularly problematic. Among beverages, sodas are another bad option for your teeth. Avoid getting your fluids from sodas as much as you possibly can; nothing beats water for health and refreshment. The following post has more, including a look at citrus-based drinks that should be consumed in moderation:
The favourite soda that you love to gulp down can have a negative impact on your teeth as the acids present in it work on eroding the protective tooth enamel.
They also reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth and can cause staining. All these drinks are loaded with sugar and are extremely unhealthy for kids as well as adults…
Although citric fruits like lemons and gooseberry are rich sources of vitamin C, they can make the teeth prone to decay. They have a high content of acids which can affect the tooth enamel even when they are mixed with water. Thus the citric drinks should not be consumed in large volumes and should be followed by rinsing. Read more at Dentist Hope Island
Alcohol and Ice
You know that high alcohol consumption is detrimental to your health. But, are you aware that adding ice makes your double double trouble? Check out the the article below to see why:
We all know that drinking alcohol isn’t exactly healthy. But did you realize that when you drink, you dry out your mouth? A dry mouth lacks saliva, which we need to keep our teeth healthy. Saliva prevents food from sticking to your teeth and washes away food particles. It even helps repair early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections. To help keep your mouth hydrated, drink plenty of water and use fluoride rinses and oral hydration solutions…
All it contains is water, so it’s fine to chew ice, right? Not so, according to the American Dental Association. Chewing on a hard substance can damage enamel and make you susceptible to dental emergencies such as chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, or loosened crowns. You can use your ice to chill beverages, but don’t chew on it. To resist the urge, opt for chilled water or drinks without ice. Read more at Healthline
White Bread
We hate to break your heart if white bread is your go-to for sandwiches or toast, but this food staple really shouldn’t be. You’ll understand why after reading the linked post:
There’s nothing quite as tasty as a piece of toasted white bread with a little butter. Unfortunately, your teeth disagree with your taste buds. White bread is packed full of sugar. As you chew, you masticate the bread into a gummy, sugary paste that sticks to your teeth and gets into your gums. If you’re not a diligent brusher, these sugars can cause cavities! When you’re selecting your bread, go for types that aren’t as high in refined sugars. Whole-grain sprouted grain, or seeded loaves of bread are a better choice not only nutritionally, but are much less sugary than normal white bread. Read more at Beautiful Smiles
Along with white bread, you should try to limit your intake of all foods that contain sugar, both in its natural and manmade forms. Even if you find it impossible to avoid all processed sugars (it’s challenging, we know), your teeth, digestive tract, waistline and more will appreciate the steps you do take toward a healthier lifestyle.
If you fail to make changes to a problematic diet, one of the major issues that can result is tooth loss. This is a serious complication that can jeopardize the integrity of your entire smile, primarily due to jawbone reduction which is common with missing teeth. This critical depletion in bone volume can destabilize healthy teeth and lead to multiple losses.
The good news is people who find themselves in this dire situation have an excellent tooth replacement option. Dental implants are arguably the greatest advancement in oral healthcare in a generation. They are able to restore the look, strength and stability of real teeth. No other tooth restoration even comes close to matching the benefits of implants.
Campbell Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center is the leading provider of dental implants in the Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL metro area. Dr. William Campbell and his team are committed to providing an outstanding experience for every patient. If you’re experiencing tooth loss, call us at 706-324-6106 or reach us through the contact form on our website to schedule your implant consultation. If you have any questions or concerns about treatment, any member of our helpful staff will be happy to speak with you.
