A good diet is not only good for your body,
but good for your smile as well. Steering clear of foods that are not so good
for your teeth and gums will keep your mouth healthy and you out of the dentist’s
chair. Of course, you will need regular checkups with your Dentist in Chicago,
but if you pay close attention to the foods you eat, your dentist may
not detect tooth decay giving you a clean bill of health.
According to the American Dental Association
and Dr. Romo, a diet that is rich in tooth healthy foods is just as important
as regular checkups, brushing and flossing. Sugary and sticky foods are
extremely bad for your teeth, as they will stay on your teeth for longer periods.
Those gummy bears and caramels that you enjoyed at your daughter’s birthday
party could have caused damage to the enamel on your teeth.
Drinks that are acidic and loaded with sugar
will cause twice as much trouble for your teeth. Drinking soft drinks can stall
saliva activity in your mouth, which helps to clear away food particles.
Dried fruits may be good for your waistline,
but not so good for your teeth. Those processed fruit snacks are loaded with
sugar and incredibly sticky. This means that they will adhere to your teeth
while the sugar quietly feeds on the bacteria in your mouth promoting dental
erosion.
Those hard candies that you enjoy may be
curbing your appetite, but they will wreck havoc on your teeth as the sweetness
lingers in your mouth while dissolving long after they have been gone. If you
do enjoy the occasional hard candy, be sure and rinse your mouth after eating.
Most people know that red wine can stain teeth, but all kinds of alcohol can hurt your teeth as it causes a decrease in your
natural saliva production stopping the food particles from washing away.
Alcohol can also damage the inside of your cheeks and gums, as it is very
corrosive. People who drink more tend to be more susceptible to gum disease and
dental problems.
Starchy foods such as white bread, potato
chips, and those yummy crackers that you enjoy are not so good for your teeth
either as starchy foods can become trapped in between your teeth. If you do not
rinse after consuming starchy foods you will be feeding the bacteria in your mouth,
which could cause plaque or even tartar.
