Most people already know that brushing and flossing twice daily removes plaque and bacteria that contribute to common dental concerns, including tooth decay. However, the foods you eat regularly can also significantly impact your dental health.
For example, incorporating more dairy products rich in calcium helps build stronger teeth and bones, while citrus fruits and some leafy greens are high in vitamin c to support your collagen and connective tissues. But you can also avoid these 3 surprising cavity-causing foods to help protect and preserve your smile!
Food #1: Raisins
It seems like common knowledge that reducing your consumption of overly sugary snacks can help prevent cavities and gum disease, but many organic foods can also contain lots of natural sugars that might harm your teeth.
For example, raisins, which are dried grapes, naturally contain plenty of this sweet ingredient. In fact, sources have reported that they sometimes contain similar amounts as a candy bar. Raisins are also quite sticky and can cling to your enamel to attract harmful bacteria that cause oral issues. That means you can help avoid tooth decay by steering clear of these and other dehydrated fruits, many of which also have added sugar for flavor.
Food #2: Crackers
It’s easier to avoid sugar when it’s listed as a main ingredient on a product’s packaging, but did you know that carbohydrates are broken down into sugars through the digestive process? This is because your saliva contains an enzyme that breaks down starches, such as crackers or bread, into smaller molecules, which chops longer chains of complex carbohydrates into simple sugars in your mouth.
This sometimes also creates a sticky paste that clings to your enamel, drawing unwanted germs to cling to the protective outer layer of your teeth. They produce acids as they thrive that can erode the material and cause cavities.
Food #3: Alcoholic Beverages
Sugar combined with high levels of acidity can do double the damage to your smile, which is why you may want to minimize your alcohol consumption if you want to protect your dental health.
This is because, although your saliva has a nearly neutral pH balance to combat it, anything with a pH of 5.5 on the pH scale can potentially harm your teeth. Meanwhile, wine, beer, and other spirits often range between 3.0 and 5.0, putting them in the danger zone. You can safeguard your grin by reducing the amount of alcohol your teeth are exposed to, and by chasing your drink down with a tall glass of water to restore a more neutral pH balance.
If you suspect you’ve developed tooth decay, contact your dentist for an appointment, and they can help fill it or provide another treatment as appropriate to restore the affected tooth’s function and appearance.
About the Practice
Patients at Westbury Dental Spa benefit from a dental team dedicated to helping them build and maintain the healthiest, most beautiful versions of their smiles. Dr. Oza-Chughtai, Dr. Maksumova, and Dr. Awan share decades of experience, and today, they collaborate to provide a complete array of services, including tooth-colored fillings, to meet your unique oral healthcare needs under one roof. Then, their caring approach is paired with advanced technology to deliver accurate, long-lasting results. You can request an appointment on the website or call the office at (516) 282-5100.