Rockville, MD Dentist Discusses the Most Damaging Food to Your Teeth

Your teeth are unbelievably tough, and they have to be considering the vital tasks that they have to accomplish. After all, the mouth is the starting point of your digestive system, and a strong set of teeth is necessary to bite and chew the food that will provide nourishment to your body. Besides, each bite generates about 200 lbs. of pressure, so they literally can’t crack under the pressure.

Still, your chompers aren’t impervious to wear and tear, and some of the most damaging things to your teeth happen to be the food you eat. Dr. Maryam Seifi, a trusted Rockville, MD dentist and proprietor of the StarBrite Dental office, lists down some of the food and beverages that you should be wary of:

Light-Colored Soda
If you think light-colored soda is less damaging to your teeth, you’d better think again. Allison Ford of DivineCaroline.com explains the adverse effects of this beverage:

It’s common knowledge that the sugar in soda can erode enamel and the coloring in cola-type sodas can cause stains. However, clear sodas like Sprite, 7UP, ginger ale, and others are actually more harmful, because they contain more citric and ascorbic acids. In a study at the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, human teeth soaked in clear colas lost more of their weight than teeth soaked in brown sodas did. The study also found that the least harmful soda for teeth is root beer, because it’s not carbonated and doesn’t contain phosphoric or citric acid.

So the next time you feel thirsty, just grab a bottle of water instead. Both your teeth and your body will thank you for it.

Apples
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but probably not the dentist. As it happens, apples are one of the leading causes of cracked teeth among patients owing to their crunchiness. You don’t have to leave them out of your diet completely, though; the next time you eat the fruit, slice it up first to make chewing easier.

Popcorn
There’s a lot to love about popcorn, such as its great taste and low caloric content. There’s one annoying thing about this popular snack, though: Popcorn bits have a tendency to get stuck between your teeth. As you might know, trapped food particles are a draw for bacteria, so be sure to floss thoroughly after enjoying a bowl of popcorn.

As any reliable Rockville dentist will tell you, a little mindfulness about the food you eat will go a long way towards prolonging the life of your teeth. Of course, don’t forget to schedule regular dental checkups and practice good oral hygiene as well to better protect your pearly whites.

(Source: Mind Your Mouth: Seven Foods That Damage Tooth Enamel, DivineCaroline.com)