You’re doing your part to steer clear of cavities: brushing and flossing daily, keeping up regular dental appointments, not eating candy. All commendable habits for sure. And laying off the candy bars is great for your teeth, but you may be unaware of other foods you’re taking in that can cause cavities. Let’s discuss some of the surprising culprits behind tooth decay.
Diet Soda
You were probably told as a kid that sugar will rot your teeth, right? So, you kicked your regular cola habit and switched to diet varieties of soda. Great! There’s still just one little problem.
Diet soda may not contain sugar, but it does contain acid, and acid likes to eat through tooth enamel. Over time, it can strip away the minerals that make up enamel, resulting in possible tooth decay or sensitivity.
If you’re going to partake, try to limit it to a set time and not constantly sip throughout the day. The longer you expose your teeth to the acid in diet soda, the better chance it has of causing damage. Sipping through a straw so the soda bypasses your teeth is a good idea, too!
Sports Drinks
The marketers knew what they were doing with this one. Sports drinks are associated with athletics and active lifestyles, so they must be good for you, right?
The fact is that like soda, sports drinks often contain high amounts of acid, which we’ve established can cause cavities. But here’s the kicker: many of them contain sugar, too. Sugar “rots” teeth by mingling with existing bacteria in the mouth to produce bacterial acid. So, you compound the existing acid of the drink itself with the acid produced by sugar and bacteria, and you’ve got a recipe for oral disaster!
Luckily, there are sugar-free options when it comes to sports drinks these days. Still, be mindful of your consumption.
Alcoholic Drinks
Most people are aware that overconsumption of alcohol poses health risks, but you may not know that includes your oral health.
Starch is a fundamental ingredient in beer, so most beers contain some level of it. Starch breaks down into sugar in the mouth, which you’ve already learned is one of the leading causes of cavities. Wine is generally an acidic beverage.
But acid and sugar aside, the main issue that dentists cite with alcohol is that it tends to cause dry mouth. A lack of saliva in the mouth allows bacteria to grow exponentially faster. The presence of more bacteria can lead to cavities.
Crackers & Chips
These may be comfort foods to you: saltines with a warm bowl of tomato soup when you’re sick, or munching on potato chips while you enjoy your favorite TV show after a long day at work. And there is value in food that can comfort you. Unfortunately, there’s not much value there when it comes to your oral health.
Crackers and chips not only contain starches; they also house processed carbohydrates. Much like starch and sugar, carbohydrates interact with oral bacteria to produce acid. You know where that leads.
It’s not that you shouldn’t ever pop the top on a can of diet soda again or that you should avoid chips at all costs; it’s just best if you enjoy them in moderation. Pair that with consistent at-home dental hygiene and visits to the dentist every 6 months if you want to do your best to keep cavities at bay!
About the Practice
Northbrook Dental Group has more than 100 5-star reviews on Google and is led by the accomplished father-and-son team of Drs. James and Justin Woodruff. With multiple financial solutions available, we believe in making treatment affordable for all our patients. To learn more, visit our website or give us a call at (847) 272-0049.