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Stop noshing on these 7 foods and drinks RN for the sake of your teeth

Indulging in chocolates and candies can be quite satisfying for your palate, but they can damage your teeth to a great extent.
Reduce sugar intake for the health of your teeth. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Team Health Shots Updated: 12 May 2021, 14:53 pm IST
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We bet you cannot deny the charm of a great smile. A confident smile can often take us out of tight situations as well as influence our social lives and relationships. And for that, you must not take your teeth for granted as they have a super important role to play in your lives.

Teeth not only allow us to chew and digest food, they also help us to talk clearly and give our face a definitive shape.

Good oral health has a huge number of benefits and taking care of teeth becomes a matter of utmost importance. Here are five foods that are bad for your teeth and must be consumed in moderation:

1. Bread
Does a slice of toast lathered in butter as an early morning treat seem too good for you to miss? Turns out when you chew bread, your saliva breaks down the starches into sugar, which transforms into a paste-like substance that sticks to the crevices between teeth causing cavities.

2. Carbonated drinks
Did you know that drinking large quantities of carbonated drinks could be as damaging to your teeth as methamphetamine?

A study conducted by Philadelphia’s Temple University found that consumption of illicit drugs and excessive intake of carbonated beverages are often associated with dental erosion.

Now you have got another reason to ditch those carbonated drinks. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Alcohol
If you prefer a glass or two of your favourite tipple each night, think again. Turns out, when you drink alcohol, your mouth dries out.

A dry mouth lacks saliva, which is essential in maintaining teeth health. Saliva prevents food from sticking to the teeth and washes away food particles. So, that drink might not be a very good idea.

4. Potato chips
Potato chips are loaded with starch, which gets turned into sugar that may get trapped between the teeth and become fodder for bacteria and teeth, leading to tooth decay.

Acid production from chips also leads to teeth erosion. Scientists found that consumption of more processed forms of starch increases risk of cavities.

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5. Ice
The American Dental Association says that chewing on a hard substance like ice can damage the enamel and make you more susceptible to dental emergencies like chipped or broken teeth. Even if you use ice to chill beverages, try not to chew on the ice.

6. Sour candies
Sour candies contain different kinds of acids (depending on the flavouring used) that may prove detrimental to your dental health. They could stick to your teeth, causing decay.

Also, read: My #momsays brush your teeth with salt to make them shine bright like a diamond. And science agrees!

7. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemon are known to be beneficial for health but they have acid content that can cause enamel erosion, making your teeth more vulnerable to decay.

And if you think a glass of fresh lime soda is what you need. Well, adding lime or lemon into water makes it acidic. The acids from citrus fruits can lead to mouth sores too.

While lemons have plenty of health benefits, they are not good for your teeth.

To sum it up…
Sucrose and starches are some of the main dietary carbohydrates and both have a close relationship with dental health.

Processed food starches can turn the mouth too acidic and lead to deterioration of the tooth enamel. Dental decay is directly related to the intensity and exposure of tooth surfaces to sugars and starches.

A study by the University of Washington School Of Dentistry revealed that a high-glycemic diet may cause dental problems leading to potentially serious chronic diseases.

Dental diseases could be a pointer towards what is wrong with your diet. So, pay attention.

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