Most people are aware that sugar is the main culprit of cavities. Without preventive care, this can cause some potentially serious dental health issues in the future. For the most part these kinds of snacks involve candy and other sweets. However, there are other lesser-known foods you might want to know about if you want to keep your teeth in great condition. Read on to learn three other foods that can also cause cavities!
Food #1: Raisins
Raisins are dried grapes, so they provide many nutritional benefits you can find in most fruits. They contain vitamins, healthy fiber, and minerals to improve physical energy and function. However, raisins are also naturally high in sugar content, making them sweet as well as harmful to your teeth. They actually have the same amount of sugar as candy and soda! By consuming them, the bacteria in your mouth will begin to eat away at your enamel, especially since raisins are sticky and can end up remaining on your teeth for too long.
Food #2: Saltine Crackers
Whether you have the munchies or trying to eat during a stomach ailment, saltine crackers can be the go-to snack for you. They’re also not the best food for your teeth when preventing cavities. Other than sugars, carbohydrates and starches can also be harmful to your enamel by stimulating bacterial growth. In addition, these crackers can become powder-like when you eat them, allowing them to spread across every surface of your mouth more easily. This can make it more difficult to clean your teeth and effectively remove all debris.
Food #3: Alcoholic Drinks
While certain items promote bacteria growth from sugar and starches, alcoholic beverages can stimulate development due to dry mouth. Saliva is essential to your mouth for naturally washing away debris and germs, and when there isn’t enough produced it can create problems for your oral health. Alcohol basically dehydrates the mouth and body, which allows bacteria to feed more easily in a dry environment.
The best way to avoid cavities after eating or drinking these foods is to rinse your mouth and clean your teeth at least twice a day. And if you want additional help in protecting your dental health, you can always schedule a visit to your dentist for a checkup and professional cleaning!
About the Practice
Distinctive Dentistry offers outstanding, advanced, and passionate dental services for patients of all ages. Our expert dentists—Drs. Shirley, Cannon, and Bickford—have a wide variety of dental treatments ranging from regular checkups and cleanings to cosmetic fillings for restoring your smile. If you want to know more about preventing cavities, visit their website or call 770-445-6606.
