Practicing preventive dentistry will save you lots of money in the long-run. Taking proper care of your teeth is a lot cheaper than the most basic dental treatments.
When people fail to establish good oral hygiene, they become susceptible to the two most common dental ailments: gum disease and tooth decay.
When it comes to preventative dentistry, most people immediately think of daily tasks like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash. However, taking proper care of your teeth doesn’t stop there. It is also prudent to avoid certain foods and drinks since these can wreak havoc on your tooth enamel.
Preventive dentistry 101: Foods and drinks to avoid
1. Anything that contains lots of sugar
Sugar might be delicious, but it is equally bad for your oral and overall health. Sugar is highly acidic in nature. These acids eat away at the enamel of your teeth. In addition, the bacteria that live inside your mouth love sugar and they excrete corrosive acids after feasting on the sugars in your mouth.
Sugar also has connections to a host of serious health issues like diabetes (which has a huge impact on oral health), heart disease, and brain fog. It is a highly addictive substance that is eight times more addictive than narcotics like cocaine.
The scariest part is sugar is infused into so many things we consume, so it’s hard to avoid it completely. There is lots of sugar in bread, pasta, sodas, and cereals. All types of sugar are bad for your oral health, but fructose is the worst offender. Unlike glucose that can be metabolized in most parts of your body, fructose can only be broken down in the liver. With how hard it is to completely avoid consuming things that contain sugar, just make sure you rinse your mouth with water afterward.
2. Coffee
Many people find themselves sipping on java all day at work, but that is very bad for your teeth. Even people who prefer drinking black coffee are not exempt. That is because the coffee beans themselves are highly acidic. Drinking coffee all day does not just leave your teeth exposed to corrosive acids, it also leads to serious staining thanks to the strong coloring agent in coffee.
It is prudent to rinse with water after drinking coffee to wash away the acids and coloring agent on your teeth.
3. Citrus fruits
Most citrus fruits are very acidic in nature. The juices from them can cause serious damage to your teeth enamel if left on them for prolonged periods. Lemons, oranges, and limes are some of the most acidic ones. Other fruits like strawberries also have highly acidic juices, so make sure you consume these in moderation.
As is the case with any acidic food item you consume, make sure you rinse your mouth with water afterward. Want to learn more about harmful fruits you should avoid? Contact one of our dentists today.
Call (706) 425-6240 today to reach Dr. Call Dental Center and schedule a dental check-up.
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