Many of us live our daily lives and go about our daily business without ever considering the effect on our teeth. However, there are so many foods, drinks, and activities that can cause damage to your smile. A staggering 25% of U.S. adults over the age of 60 are missing all of their teeth! Read below for a few ways to make sure you don’t become one of the 25%!
Sugary Food
Sugar is the worst thing you can do for your teeth. This is because the bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar. These bacteria then produce harmful acids that eat away at your tooth enamel, causing cavities and tooth decay. This is especially true of sticky sugar such as jellybeans and taffy. The longer the sugar is stuck to your teeth, the more damaging the effects will be.
Harmful Beverages
We all know how harmful soda is for our teeth. This is true even for sugar-free sodas. This is because soda is so acidic, and so are fruit juices with added sugar. We’d suggest steering clear of both. In addition, alcoholic beverages are also highly acidic and can cause dry mouth. Because saliva helps wash away the harmful acids, this is a double whammy to your teeth! If you do choose to drink these beverages, make sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward to wash away the damaging substances.
Dangerous Activities
Many common activities can be very damaging to your teeth. This includes using your teeth as tools to open packages or bottle caps. It also includes smoking, and chewing tobacco, which will not only damage your teeth but your overall health as well. Some prescription medications can cause dry mouth, which will increase your risk of cavities, so be sure to check the side effects. Lastly, it’s important to wear a mouthguard during contact sports or other physical activities and a nightguard if you suffer from bruxism (nighttime grinding and clenching).