Taking care of oral hygiene for both you and your children is so important. Regular trips to the dentist, a nightly routine for brushing teeth and knowing which foods to eat and which to avoid are so important.
Today we are going to focus on the later because there are several foods which have been known to cause tooth decay in both children and adults that you need to know about!
Hard Sweets
This first category should be quite obvious. In many ways, hard sweets present a “one-two” punch in terms of the dangers that they pose to your teeth. The most obvious risk is the massive amounts of sugar that are contained within. However, we should also remember that thick outer coatings can cause further damage to the enamel simply through the act of chewing. When we combine this with the fact that small pieces are more likely to become lodged in between teeth, the dangers posed by hard sweets are considerable.
Popcorn
It may be surprising for you to learn that there are certain foods which pose a grave danger and yet do not contain appreciable amounts of sugar. A perfect example of this can be seen in popcorn. The reason that popcorn can be a real concern primarily arises from the fact that our salivary glands will produce lactic acid within the mouth when chewing. The acid can be quite damaging to the enamel. However, it is also quite common for pieces of this popcorn to become stuck between the teeth or even within the grooved chewing surfaces themselves. This can create “hot spots” which may allow for a further buildup of this acid. Finally, kernels that are not popped can easily crack the teeth of children and adults.
Citrus Fruits
While fruits are extremely healthy, we should recognise that the chemicals contained within could place the enamel of your teeth at risk. Interestingly enough, this has less to do with the natural sugars and instead revolves around the citric acid. Although this is a completely natural form of acid, it can still pose a hazard to your oral health. Citric acid can begin to soften and even dissolve the enamel over time. There is a fallacy that brushing your teeth immediately after eating a fruit such as a lemon or an orange is recommended. Actually, this action can further damage enamel that has been softened by the presence of this acid. So, it is much better to use floss to remove any particles that may have become trapped. Following up with a mouthwash is also highly effective.
So, it is clear to see that foods laden with sugar are not the only types which can pose a serious risk to your oral health. By appreciating the other threats that exist, it can be quite easy to protect you and your family from the ravages of tooth decay and look after your family’s oral health.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
