Eating a healthy diet that gives you all of the proper nutrients can be tough enough on its own, but what happens when you also have to consider the consequences of your diet on your dental health? Unfortunately, not all of the foods that help fuel your body and mind also fit well with your teeth and enamel. Finding the perfect balance takes time, understanding, and practice. To get you started, we’ve put together a list of four foods and drinks that, while being good for your health, are actually bad for your dental health.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is a great source of energy on the go and an ideal substitute for sweets and candy. However, dried fruit has a lot of natural sugars and is extremely sticky; which causes dried fruit to get lodged in hard to reach places in your teeth, doing more harm than good over the long term.
Coffee
Coffee lovers, you aren’t going to like this one. While the benefits of coffee include energy boosts from its caffeine content and high levels of antioxidants that help prevent damage to your DNA. However, coffee wears away at your enamel, and its dark color can even stain your teeth. If you’re looking for a substitute, either try drinking your coffee through a straw or try a smoothie supplement with a natural energy boost like yerba mate.
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are an ideal source of hydration for athletes of any caliber, but their high sugar content can wreak havoc on your dental health. Too much sugar leads to tooth decay caused acids produced by bacteria in your mouth that deteriorate and damage your teeth. Look for low-sugar alternatives to these, which can be found here.
Citrus Fruit
Citrus fruit is one of the best things to eat at any time of day, for that kick of sweetness, and to boost your immune system with a punch of Vitamin C. However, many fruits, especially citrus, have high levels of acid, which can be very damaging to your enamel. Try substituting large amounts of citrus for smaller amounts, and make up the difference with other kinds of fruit.
If you or your family are in need of a dental checkup, make an appointment with the Planich Dental team today! Our caring and experienced team will take the best care of you and your teeth, to keep your smile looking its best.