Top 5 health foods that could be harming your teeth without you knowing it
Nowadays, dental problems faced by most people aren’t only caused by tooth decay. There can be other dietary factors such as food, drinks and supplements that we drink that are ‘good for us’, but can be bad for our teeth.
Check out our list of foods, drinks and supplements that could be harming your teeth without you knowing it:
- Chewable/gummy Vitamin C Tablets: popular for children, these tablets are usually contain sugar, and of course vitamin C (ascorbic acid). The main issue with these teeth is the acidic nature of the tablets, and the fact that they can stay stuck in the surfaces of your teeth for long periods of time. The acid, combined with the sugar being stuck on your teeth for some time can increase the chances of your children developing tooth decay. If your child needs to take these supplements, we recommend looking for a sugar free option, and ensuring your child takes these during main meals. It’s best to avoid taking them between meals as they could then be lingering on the teeth for long periods of time.
- Fizzy Vitamin C Tablets: Similar to the chewable/gummy vitamin tablets, because you are drinking these supplements, they have contact with your teeth and could cause acid erosion over time. If you can, switch to a tablet you can directly swallow to minimise damage to your teeth.
- Energy/Sports drinks: These drinks can unfortunately be acidic, causing dental erosion and also increasing risk of tooth decay. If you can, have them with main meals to diminish potential damage.
- Kombucha: Often also highly acidic, kombucha can also cause dental erosion and tooth decay.
- Lemon water: The acid from the lemon can increase the risk of tooth erosion and tooth decay. Try drinking through a straw to minimise the acid contacting your teeth. Don’t brush your teeth straight away, as the acid may have softened the tooth surface, and when you go to brush (which is slightly abrasive), you may be wearing away your tooth’s enamel.
If you consume some of the foods and drinks in the above list, it’s important to have your teeth checked regularly. If there are signs of tooth erosion or tooth decay, your dentist may be able to suggest some products to counteract the damage. If there is damage, having your teeth checked regularly means you can have the problems fixed earlier before they get a lot worse or cause you pain.
Do you need your teeth checked for signs of tooth erosion or tooth decay? Visit our Claremont dental clinic for a consultation today. Call us on 6143 5655 or book online here.
