What's Really Ruining Your Teeth?
Your mother and dentist alike have warmed you to stay away from candy and soda to protect your teeth. However, there are some innocent foods that you may be eating that are also putting your teeth at risk. Here are five culprits that are hurting your teeth. You will be surprised that many of them are also thought to be healthy.
Juicing
While juicing may be a fast way to get your nutrients, they can also contain a ridiculous amount of sugar. And while the sugar is from natural sources, like carrots and fruit, drinking juice every morning is similar to bathing your teeth in chocolate. The bacteria in our mouths consume the sugar and convert it into acid that wears away enamel and causes cavities. The best thing to do is to either switch to lower-sugar smoothies or to drink with a straw. It is important to wait at least 45 minutes before brushing your teeth.
Chewable Vitamins
Who knew that vitamins could affect your oral health too? The stickiness of chewable vitamins sticks to teeth and makes them more susceptible to cavities. It is better to switch to the boring, yet safer, pill form of vitamins from now on.
Barbecue Sauce
What is a rack of ribs without barbeque sauce? Barbeque sauce is another thing to watch out for if you want to keep your teeth healthy and white. Most barbeque sauces are packed full of sugar and can lead to tooth discoloration and decay. Health.com recommends slathering petroleum jelly on your teeth before eating to help protect your teeth. You can also try to make your own barbeque sauce from scratch using stevia for a sugar-free version.
Dried Fruit
Fresh fruit is great for your teeth, especially if they are packed with water. However, dried fruit is not good for teeth and is similar to chewing on gummy candies. Dried fruit is higher in sugar content and is more likely to get stuck in your teeth. It is best to brush and floss your teeth after your dried fruit snack. The sooner you get it off, the less you have to worry about it sitting on your teeth.
White Wine
Many people will turn to white wine to prevent staining their teeth. However, white wine is not better for your dental health. The acid in white wine can eat away at your enamel and leave your teeth vulnerable to food and drink stains. You can gargle some water after your glass of wine to wash away some of the acidity.
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