Most people enjoy a nice treat now and again—a well-deserved candy bar after a hard workout, or a bag of popcorn at the movie theatre. In moderation, these snacks are harmless enough, but if they’re becoming regular part of your diet, you might find yourself visiting your Kelowna dental centre more frequently to deal with tooth decay problems.
Many of the processed foods we consume today contain ingredients that are bad for our teeth and mouth. It’s important to become aware of them and minimize your intake of them to maintain proper oral hygiene. Here’s a list of some of the worst offenders you’ll either want to reduce or eliminate from your diet.
These seductively sweet snacks are available in an array of foods, which helps explain reports that indicate the average Canadian consumes about 40 kilograms of sugar every year. From hard candy to chocolate to cookies to flavoured yogurt, it’s in a lot of products on grocery store shelves.
The problem with sugar—and this doesn’t take into consideration the other health implications it can have such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity—is that the natural bacteria in our mouths feast on it and other carbohydrates, converting them into acids. And it’s these acids that begin to attack tooth enamel and starts the decay process.
Eliminating sugar from your diet altogether isn’t a realistic solution (and nor would you want to because it provides energy to the body), but you can easily reduce your junk food intake.
Chewy, sticky foods are likely to stay on your teeth longer and cause decay. Even with brushing and rinsing, the remnants can be difficult to remove. Candies such as toffee and caramel have even been known to dislodge amalgam filling (a sure way to earn a visit to your Kelowna dental centre). However, even natural foods such as fruit leather and dried fruit can leave a sugary residue on teeth, so it’s advisable to brush after snacking on these foods.
Any acid—not just the stuff created by the bacteria in your mouth—will damage tooth enamel and contribute to decay. Some of the common culprits include:
- Citrus fruit
- Fruit juice
- Red wine
One way to reduce the acid level in your mouth is to neutralize it by drinking and/or swishing water after eating these types of foods.
Proper Meal Planning
It’s important to remember that when you eat is nearly as important as what you eat. If you’re continually snacking on food all day, your teeth will be constantly exposed to sugars and acids. By eating three square meals a day, reducing snacks in between and rinsing after every time you eat, you’ll keep your mouth healthier.
Whether you’re visiting us for cosmetic or general dentistry, we provide a comfortable experience with results that will last. Contact us to book an appointment today!
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