We all know that eating nutritious foods is great for our bodies. But we probably don’t give thought as often to how the foods we consume are affecting our teeth. Certain foods, even healthy foods, can harm the enamel of your teeth. Keep reading to learn more.
Enamel-harming food and drinks
Foods are high in acid are the biggest culprits for wearing down tooth enamel. And while citrus fruits contain vitamins that are good for you, certain ones should be consumed in moderation. This includes grapefruit, lemon and lime.
Further, chewing on ice can be harmful to teeth. Not only can it chip or crack your teeth, it can also strip teeth of enamel due to its hard and cold consistency.
And if we didn’t have enough reasons to avoid so called “bad carbs,” these foods turn into sugar as your body breaks them down, causing tooth decay. Cutting back on processed carbohydrates is ideal and when you do consume them, you should take care to brush your teeth after so that it doesn’t get stuck in the crevices of your teeth.
Likewise, sticky foods like caramels or taffy or even dried fruit sticks to the teeth, causing bacteria that eventually forms plaque. Brushing your teeth after consuming these foods, or at the very least rinsing your mouth with water, can help stave off damage.
Additionally, when it comes to beverages, sports drinks, soda, fruit juice and alcohol all have acidic properties and can harm the tooth enamel.
Minimizing erosion
In addition to being aware of the foods you eat, it is wise to drink water after your meals to help minimize erosion risk. And, of course, brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily goes a long way in keeping enamel healthy. Additionally, if you are drinking sugary beverages, consuming through a straw can help the liquid to avoid flooding over your teeth.
Dr. Milan can recommend specific products that can help keep enamel strong. And if enamel is seriously damaged, treatments like bonding and crowns may be a viable solution.
Dr. Mitchell Milan, Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Milan of Birmingham Center for Cosmetic Dentistry is a well-known cosmetic dentist in metro Detroit. He and his elite staff have a reputation for excellence and exceptional results, which is only matched by the level of compassion they show to every patient.
No matter your smile goals or oral health woes, Dr. Milan is here for you. As an expert in not only cosmetic dentistry, but also restorative, preventative and advanced dentistry in Michigan, Dr. Milan is proud to use only the most advanced dental tools and techniques available. This ensures not only procedural success but also patient safety.
Truly, there’s hardly a smile that Dr. Milan can’t help. No matter if your teeth are crooked, chipped, crowded, yellow, gapped or even completely missing, there are solutions! Contact us today to learn more.