Your parents and dentist may have warned you about foods and substances that can damage your teeth as children. However, as you grew older, you may have let this advice slide from your memory. Unfortunately, those foods, drinks and vices can cause problems like cavities and discoloration.
Luckily, you can hide these imperfections with veneers in St. Petersburg. Still, prevention is always better than a cure. Your best course of action is to identify the worst foods and substances for your teeth so you can then minimize your consumption.
What Foods Are Bad for Your Teeth?
Here are the top five foods you should avoid consuming to preserve your oral health.
Candies
Candies top the American Dental Association’s list of tooth-damaging foods. Their high sugar content leaves plenty of acidic residues that ruin the enamel if not washed away through frequent brushing. Their hard surfaces can also break teeth that have already been weakened. Finally, the residual sugar can also cause bacterial infections and gum disease.
Dried Fruit
The health benefits of eating dried fruit are well-known. They are rich in fiber and antioxidants. However, they also have higher sugar content than their fresh counterparts since the manufacturing process augments the natural sugars within the fruits. Not only can they damage the teeth, but overconsuming these treats can lead to diabetes and obesity in the long run.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits have plenty of fiber and flavonoid content that helps lower cholesterol and high blood pressure. In general, citrus fruits contribute to your heart’s better health. They also help with food digestion and weight control.
There’s only one downside to these juices – they have high citric acid content. You need to consume these substances in moderation. Enjoy a glass of orange and lemon juice but try to wash them down with plain water afterward. You can also use teeth whitening treatments if you regularly consume these drinks to prevent yellowing.
Tobacco
Aside from damaging your lungs, frequent smoking can also affect tooth and gum health. Nicotine gathers on the teeth and attracts bacteria that chip away at the shell or infect the gums. Smoking also lowers the body’s immune system and slows down the healing of infected gums. Unfortunately, untreated gum infections can lead to tooth loss and the need for dental implants.
Smoking is also a leading cause of various cancers, including oral cancer. In fact, smokers are 10 times more likely to develop mouth cancer than non-smokers.
Potato Chips
Potato chips make excellent snacks at any time of the day. They help you feel full quickly because of their carbohydrate content. Carbs and sugar both leave remnants that get trapped on or in between teeth, where they can cause cavities. Like citrus fruits, you should dial down your consumption to prevent plaque accumulation. Otherwise, the plaque can burrow into your tooth and its neighbors.
Interested in Veneers in St. Petersburg?
Being conscious about how you eat is not enough. You must still learn to make oral hygiene a habit. Make a point to brush or floss your teeth after every meal. Frequently observing oral hygiene removes any residue on your teeth and reduces your risk of developing cavities, gum infections and other oral health problems. However, if your teeth have already been damaged or discolored, consider veneers. Contact us today to learn more.