The search for pearly white teeth is real. Gone are the days when people went to dentists only when they had tooth problems. These days, people embark on a friendly visit to the dentist to get their teeth whitened, polished and picture-perfect.
We’ll also go ahead and take an educated guess that dental health has probably significantly worsened in the last decade or so with more people suffering some form of tooth problem or the other, and the reason is not unconnected with diet. Asides the usual suspect of sugar, there are several foods that are bad for the teeth.
Here are some of them.
Processed carbohydrate: Processed carbohydrate being foods like baked foods, bread and the likes. According to experts, carbohydrate really is sugar. The saliva contains enzymes called salivary amylase which turn complex carbohydrate into sugar. Said sugar then becomes bad because bacteria in the mouth eats the sugar and then creates acid. Just like that, you’re on your way to bad teeth.
Alcohol: Notice how your mouth feels dry after a session of alcoholic binging? Alcohol leaves the mouth dry which is bad because saliva is a defense which helps dilute plaque and acids as well, it also contains anti-bacterial properties so you don’t need anything ridding you of saliva in the mouth.
Sticky/sour sweets: These are twice as bad as non-sticky/sour sweets because they contain citrus and also stick to the teeth, staying longer in your teeth and just causing all kinds of harm. Same thing as lemon/limes, if you suck on them, they scrape off the enamel leaving the teeth yellow and sensitive.
Soft drinks: Soft drinks have both sugar, phosphoric and citric acid which break down the surface of the teeth. You’re washing your teeth with acid plus sugar feeds the bacteria in the mouth which only gives more acid later on. Experts also say you’re worse off when you’re sipping it, that way you’re constantly keeping the pH in the mouth low. Rather than sip slowly, take it in gulps.
Coffee: This is a no brainer, coffee doesn’t do wonders for the teeth. After a while it can leave brownish stains on the teeth which can be quite a nag to get rid of.