CBS NEWS – Candy is not great for your teeth, but it’s not the only thing to be mindful of for better oral health.
The worst offenders you might not realize?
Sugary or acidic drinks: That incudes your favorite sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks and even fruit juices. Cosmetic dentist Dr. Lana Rozenberg called these the “the biggest culprits.”
Any drink containing a high amount of sugar “sits in between the teeth and it’s very bad for your teeth, because then it can lead to decay,” she said.
Sticky foods: While this includes candies like gummies, it also applies to “healthy foods” like dried fruit that you may not realize are sticking to your teeth just the same.
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“These are notorious for adhering to teeth and getting caught in crevices, making them difficult to clean and thus posing a greater risk for decay,” DiFoggio said.
Fermentable carbohydrates: This includes items like bread, pasta, chips and saltine crackers.
“These foods easily stick to and between teeth, trapping sugars that bacteria feed on, producing harmful acids,” said DiFoggio.
How to prevent tooth damage from foods, drinks
Don’t worry, you don’t have to give up these foods for healthy teeth. There are ways to reduce their harmful effects, experts say, beyond maintaining good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing daily. Here’s how:
Order up: “The order in which you eat foods can impact your dental health,” said DiFoggio …
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