5 of the Worst and Best Foods for Your Teeth

Sugar-filled candy and soft drinks are probably the first snacks that come to mind when you think about your favorite bites that are damaging to your teeth. But you might be surprised by some of the seemingly harmless foods and beverages that pose an equal threat to your pearly whites on a daily basis. 

The following five eats and sips may seem (and taste) good, but they are nothing but bad when it comes to your teeth. Don’t dismay, we have some great alternatives guaranteed to help you enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth.

Processed Carbs (Think Bread)

White, whole wheat, or whole grain — it doesn’t make a difference. Processed carbs like bread and crackers are at the top of the “Worst for Your Teeth” list. These sneaky snacks are really just sugars in disguise. Your saliva has an enzyme that starts the digestion process in your mouth, instantly converting carbs into sugars. The bad bacteria in your mouth then eats the sugar, converting it into acid that breaks down the enamel on your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to decay.

Snack on this instead...
Cheese and Milk

The calcium in dairy products has long been credited for strengthening teeth, but new studies have found that it also lowers the pH level in your mouth, helping to fight plaque and cavities, as well as to protect enamel. Consuming dairy also increases your production of saliva, which is great for keeping your teeth clean!

Dried Fruit

Fruit is good for you, but it is high in sugar. And while fresh fruit and dried fruit have the same amount of sugar in them, dried fruit is similar to sticky candy and adheres to the surface of your teeth, where it does a lot of damage.

Snack on this instead...
Fresh, Fiber-Rich Fruits and Veggies

Fiber-rich fruits and veggies are like cleansers for your mouth. Crisp fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, actually help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath. These tooth-decay-fighting foods are also saliva producers. Saliva, which washes away food and neutralizes acid, is your best natural defense against cavities.

Kombucha

Kombucha drinkers are loyal to their tea — we know this. But the truth is it poses the same risk to teeth as sugary soda does. Kombucha’s pH is low...very low. A pH less than 7 is considered acidic, and kombucha’s acidity level is almost as low as it can go, with a pH coming in at only 2.5. Kombucha drinking is sure to get you into trouble if done on a daily basis, and it poses a real threat to those at risk for cavities.

Drink this instead...
Green and Black Tea

These teas contain compounds that suppress and kill bad bacteria when they mix with the plaque on your teeth. This deters the bacteria from producing acid that attacks teeth and weakens enamel. Brew your tea with fluoridated water and it will be downright good for your teeth.

Lemons

With a pH of only 2, lemons are one of the most acidic foods you can put in your mouth. If you enjoy sucking on lemons or drinking lemon juice or lemony beverages, chances are your teeth are suffering from loss of enamel. When tooth enamel erodes, lemons won’t be the only yellow thing in your mouth — your teeth will be too!

Snack on this instead...
Sugarless Chewing Gum

Instead of sucking on lemons, chew on sugarless chewing gum. It increases the flow of saliva, effectively rinsing harmful acid off your teeth and preserving your enamel. It can also pull bits of remaining food from the surfaces of your teeth, and it’s great in a pinch after mealtime when you’ve forgotten your toothbrush or are out on the town for the evening.

Alcohol

Cocktails, beer, and wine: We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but drinks with alcohol have a drying effect, and a dry mouth is bad for teeth. Because saliva is critical to your teeth’s defense against plaque, anything that has a drying effect is bad. People who drink alcohol regularly are putting their teeth at risk. The risk is even higher for those who suffer from dry mouth.

Drink this instead...
Water with Fluoride

Drinking water with fluoride is a no-brainer when it comes to protecting your teeth. Water washes away the harmful acids, and fluoride makes your teeth strong. If you must have that end-of-week cocktail, protect your teeth by drinking a glass of fluoridated water after each beverage.

For more information on how to keep your teeth in top condition, call us today and set up your next appointment! 

Celebrate with a Smile – National Children’s Dental Health Month

February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month. This annual celebration, sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA), is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of children’s dental health. Navigating your children’s oral health care can sometimes be confusing and even a little bit scary for both you and your child. The following are tips and tricks to help take a bite out of your child’s dental fear, encourage routine oral health practices, and help keep you and your little ones smiling through it all.

• Our office is kid-friendly. We understand that a new experience is fun and scary so we encourage our little patient’s caretakers to stay positive about coming to see us. We help you out with this by having toys and distractions in the waiting room as well as our chairs.

• We know little wiggle worms can hold still while in a kid friendly waiting room just waiting to be explored, so we provide all our necessary forms online so that you can complete them ahead of time for your ease.

• We think ahead. Please tell us if you would rather come in with little one or have them go on their own. This way there are fewer surprises for everyone in an already unfamiliar environment.

• We’re here for you, both of you. During the appointment, we’ll do a dental exam to look for any signs of tooth decay, and check your child’s bite, gums and other parts of the mouth. We are also open to any questions you may have about how to care for your child’s teeth and gums.

• Don’t skip dental appointments. Regular visits help protect against issues that could cause pain and create a fear of the dentist. Visit the dentist once every six months, even if there’s no issue.

• The more they know the better. Children’s characters take trips to the dentist too! Find a book that features a dentist visit so help your little one understand what their own adventure could be like. Also take them along with you for your annual checkup.

• As kids realize that taking care of their teeth makes them look and feel good, they may actually start looking forward to visiting the dentist!

The following are some fun oral health facts to sink your teeth into:

• Straight up: Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth, not only do they help kids chew and speak, they are placeholders for permanent teeth. If they come out before they should, adult teeth can come into the empty space making it hard for other adult teeth to find room when they come in.

• The rule of ones: According to the ADA, your little one’s first dentist appointment should happen right around another first, their one-year birthday or when they lose their first tooth.

• Don’t delay, stop tooth decay: Tooth decay can have consequences that go beyond discomfort and a dental visit. It can hinder your child’s quality of life, cognitive and social skills not to mention hurt their self-esteem. To prevent tooth decay we recommend, visiting us regularly, and use fluoride (rinses and toothpaste).

• I spy: Signs of tooth decay are white spots that may appear where minerals have been lost. Acid attacks, from foods or drinks containing sugar and starches, on tooth enamel cause mineral loss. If the decay continues then eventually a cavity will form.

• On a lighter note: Here are some fun facts to share with your kids to get them excited about their appointment.

o The average person has 32 teeth, one kind of tooth is called a canine, like a dog!
o Your teeth are made of enamel, and that’s the hardest substance in the body.
o Your teeth help you eat your favorite foods, and look great in pictures!

The more the merrier. Help us celebrate National Children’s Dental Health month by sharing what you’ve learned on Facebook with your friends! Call us to see if your little one’s appointment is coming up, we can’t wait to see you.

"Defeat Monster Mouth" Month

Have you heard of "Defeat Monster Mouth" month? This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.

Last Thursday, Justyna and Jessica (our amazing office staff) dressed up as Molars for this special month:

They had tons of fun and, of course, a lot of attention from everyone driving by. People honked and rolled down their windows and blared music for them!

Justyna also went to visit a little boy named Liam Merkle, who was getting his teeth cleaned. He got a Dentistry by Design T-Shirt from Justyna and a picture with her dressed as a molar. 

Hopefully this encourages him to keep up with his oral health and come for regular cleanings!

All of us here at Dentistry By Design would like to wish you a happy "Defeat Monster Mouth" month and are glad to be of service should you need help fighting the monsters in your mouth! 

If you have young children, we hope you demonstrate to them effective ways to maintain good oral health by brushing, flossing, rinsing, and eating healthy snacks. Feel free to contact us if you'd like tips on how to do this!