Foods That Cause Harm To The Teeth
It is a well-known fact that “you are what you eat”. And for that there is no better place can that be seen than in the teeth. That’s because many foods and even beverages can cause plaque, which does serious damage the teeth. Plaque is a bacteria-containing sticky film that gives rise to gum disease and tooth decay. After eating a sugary snack or meal, the sugars cause the bacteria to release acids which attack the tooth’s enamel. When the enamel breaks down, there is development of cavities.
Cavities are the most common chronic disease which is faced by people from the age group of 6 to 19 years. They cause
problems like pain, chewing problems, and tooth abscesses. And if the teeth is not brushed or flossed, the plaque will get hardened and will turn into tartar. Tartar which is present above the gums can lead to gingivitis, which is an early form of gum disease.
Besides brushing the teeth at least twice a day and flossing and visiting a dentist regularly, the foods which are given below should be avoided:
1. Sour Candies
It’s not surprising that candy is bad for your mouth. But sour candy contains more and different kinds of acids that are tougher on your teeth. Plus, because they’re chewy, they stick to your teeth for a longer time, so they’re more likely to cause decay. If you’re craving sweets, grab a square of chocolate instead, which you can chew quickly and wash away easily.
2. Bread -When the bread is chewed, the saliva breaks down the starches into sugar and transforms into a gummy paste-like substance. The bread sticks to the crevices between the teeth which can cause cavities. When a person is craving for some carbohydrates, he/she must aim for less-refined varieties like whole wheat. This bread contains less added sugars and isn’t as easily broken down.
3. Alcohol-Drinking alcohol is not exactly healthy. But when the person dinks it, it also dries out his mouth. A dry mouth lacks saliva, which is needed to keep the teeth healthy. Saliva prevents food from sticking to the teeth and washes away food particles. It even helps to repair early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections. To keep the mouth hydrated, plenty of water must be consumed and fluoride rinses and oral hydration solutions should be used.
4. Carbonated Drinks-Drinking large quantities of carbonated soda could be as damaging to the teeth just like using methamphetamine and crack cocaine. Carbonated sodas enable the plaque to produce more acid which attacks the tooth enamel. So if a person sips soda all day, then he is essentially coating his teeth in acid. In addition, it dries out his mouth, i.e. he has less saliva. And last but not least, dark-colored drinks can discolor or stain the teeth.
5. Ice-Chewing on a hard substance like ice can damage enamel and makes person susceptible to dental emergencies like chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, and even loosened crowns. Ice can be used to chill beverages, but don’t chew on it. In order to resist the urge, chilled water or drinks without ice is preferred.
6. Potato Chips-The crunch of a potato chip is eternally satisfying to many of the people. Unfortunately, they’re loaded with starch, which becomes sugar and can get trapped in and between the teeth and feed the bacteria in the plaque.
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