October 17, 2024
While packed with vitamin C, citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges are highly acidic, which can erode tooth enamel over time. This leaves your teeth more susceptible to decay and sensitivity.
Dental Health Tip: Drink water after consuming citrus to help neutralize acids. Avoid brushing your teeth immediately afterward, as enamel softened by the acid can wear down more easily.
Sticky candies, especially caramel and gummy candies, cling to teeth and are difficult for saliva to wash away. The longer they stick around, the more time sugar has to feed bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities.
Dental Health Tip: Substitute sticky candy with dark chocolate, which dissolves quickly and doesn’t linger on teeth. If you indulge, rinse with water or chew sugar-free gum to help remove leftover sugar.
Sodas and sugary drinks are double trouble: not only are they loaded with sugar, but they’re also acidic. This combination makes it easy for cavities to form and erodes enamel.
Dental Health Tip: If you drink soda, try using a straw to minimize contact with your teeth. Rinse your mouth with water afterward, and limit your intake of sugary beverages.
Starches in crackers and chips break down into sugar in your mouth. These starches can easily get trapped between teeth, feeding cavity-causing bacteria.
Dental Health Tip: After eating starchy snacks, floss to remove particles from between your teeth. This simple step can reduce the risk of decay.
Though a convenient snack, dried fruits are often sticky and high in natural sugars, which can adhere to teeth just like candy. These sugars can feed bacteria and lead to plaque buildup.
Dental Health Tip: Choose fresh fruit over dried options, and brush your teeth or rinse with water after consuming dried fruit to remove any leftover sugar.
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