By The editors of Oral Care and Health Daily for Oral Care And Health Daily
Lollies are bad for your teeth. Well, that’s a no-brainer! Even 3-year-olds know that. But people are always caught off guard when they hear that certain healthy foods are just as unkind to your chompers and can cause your teeth to rot.
We’ve found the most surprisingly unhealthy “healthy” foods, so grab a toothbrush and read on!
Fruit Juice
The Trouble:
OJ, grapefruit, pineapple and other fruit juices are packed with sugar. Even though it’s the natural kind that’s better for the rest of your body, the decay-causing bacteria in your mouth like it just as much as any other type of sugar. They gobble it up and multiply in droves. Plus, fruit juices contain a lot of acid, and acid from any kind of food or drink — even nutritious ones — erodes tooth enamel.
The Fix:
Chances are you drink these juices mostly in the morning. Brush and floss after breakfast, rather than before; problem solved. If you happen to have a glass later in the day and don’t have your toothbrush handy, swish water around in your mouth to neutralise the acid.
Dried Fruit
The Trouble:
Sure, raisins, sultanas and other dried fruit supply your body with cancer-fighting antioxidants. But the bacteria in your mouth see a sugar feast. One small (30-gram) serving of raisins contains about 25 grams of sugar — as much as a slice of pie topped with ice cream! Making matters worse, dried fruit is sticky, just like gummy bears and jelly beans, so it often gets caught in between your teeth.
The Fix:
You don’t need to give up dried fruit since it’s healthy for the rest of you. But after your eat it, brush and floss your teeth.
White bread and rice
The Trouble:
The bacteria in your mouth that love sugar also adore starches like potatoes, pretzels, white bread and white rice. These foods turn into a gluey paste that clings to your teeth. Bacteria prefer these kinds of starches, because they’re broken down much faster than whole grains, like whole-wheat bread and brown rice.
The Fix:
Switch to whole grains — they’re better for your body as well as your mouth. You can even start by pairing one slice of white bread and one slice of wholegrain on a sandwich to get used to the taste. In the meantime, brush your teeth after a starchy meal or snack.
