With all the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic going on at the moment, the last thing you need right now is to suddenly be saddled with a dental emergency. That’s why it’s important to watch what you eat to avoid accidentally breaking a tooth or getting a serious toothache due to a cavity. To help you avoid a visit with your emergency dentist in Chesterton, here are eight foods you should stay away from if you want to keep from having an urgent dental problem.
1. Dried Fruit
Although dried fruits are often assumed to be a healthy snack, they’re not so beneficial for your oral health. Many of them – such as raisins, apricots, and figs – are sticky. They can get stuck in the spaces between your teeth. Unless you floss them out immediately afterward, these bits remain there, attracting dangerous bacteria that contribute to tooth decay.
2. Potato Chips
They may be delicious, but potato chips are chock full of starch, which breaks down into sugar in the mouth. Oral bacteria then feed on this sugar and create acid that erodes your tooth enamel. This is what causes cavities.
3. Citrus
Whether you get your citrus through juices or the fruits themselves, it’s still incredibly acidic. It can wear down your enamel, leading to decay and even painful sensitivity. To avoid damage to your pearly whites, consume your citrus at mealtimes and rinse with water afterward.
4. Ice
While chewing on ice can help you cool down on a hot spring day, this habit can damage your enamel, breaking your teeth and forcing you to rush to your emergency dentist’s office. To beat the heat, suck on ice instead, or let it melt into cool water.
5. Carbonated Beverages
Even diet soda is still incredibly acidic. If you sip soda for hours, you’re spending all day coating your teeth in acid, wearing down your enamel. Additionally, dark sodas can even leave behind stains on your pearly whites.
6. Alcohol
It might seem counterintuitive, but drinking alcohol actually dries out your mouth. When you don’t have enough saliva, leftover food and drink particles don’t get washed away, contributing to gum disease and tooth decay.
7. Bread
When you chew bread, it turns into a sticky paste that loves to get stuck in the nooks and crannies of your teeth. Instead of white bread, aim for whole wheat varieties, since they have less added sugars and aren’t quite as likely to cause cavities.
8. Sour Candies
Regular candy is bad enough for your mouth because it bathes your teeth in sugar. But sour candies are especially harmful. Not only are they sticky and sugary, but they’re acidic as well. They have the potential to damage your teeth in several ways at once. You’re much better off avoiding them.
Instead of these foods, try to fill your diet with as much fresh produce as you can (when you can get it). Calcium-rich items like milk, cheese, and yogurt are also great substitutes. Not only are they filling, but they improve your oral health by strengthening your tooth enamel. For more advice on what foods are best for your dental health, ask your dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Danny Hayes has been a general and emergency dentist in Chesterton, IN for 14 years and counting. His main priority when you arrive with a dental emergency is to get you out of pain as soon as possible. He’ll make sure you are comfortable and informed before going through with any treatment. Should you find yourself with a dental emergency, contact Dr. Hayes’ office at (219) 926-7595.