Many of the foods you’re eating may be doing nothing but providing your smile with benefits! Or, you may be choosing foods and drinks that aren’t really doing anything beneficial but they’re not causing any harm either. For now, our Lake Orion, MI team would like to focus in on some common selections that may cause damage that you may just not be thinking much about. Keep them in mind throughout the day, so you can build from this foundation of knowledge, make excellent oral health and smile care choices, and go from there!
Pigment-Filled Drinks Are Causing Stains
While pigment-filled drinks are not necessarily damaging your oral health based on their high saturation of color particles, the pigmentation will contribute to staining! If you’re not too thrilled with the idea of a yellowed or otherwise stained grin, we encourage you to try to drink water as much as you can in place of other beverages that include dyes (or that are acidic, which promotes enamel weakening, which thereby promotes easier staining!).
Super Acidic Choices Are Causing Erosion
You might not think a lot about the acidic foods and beverages you’re drinking because they don’t necessarily strike you as highly acidic. However, if you take a closer look, you’ll discover that many things, from dishes with tomato sauce to sodas to juices and sports drinks are highly acidic! Unfortunately, this softens and damages your enamel (protective outer tooth layer) over time, which can mean only negative things for your oral health.
Super Hard Foods Are Promoting Chips, Cracks, Etc.
The harder the food, and the more it seems like that food could potentially cause your tooth to crumble, the more likely it is that it’s going to lead to damage. You might think of your teeth as immune to damage but they’re not. Watch out for the highly crunchy and hard-to-bite stuff, as it truly can land you in our chair for restorative care.
Chewy Foods Are Encouraging Jaw Concerns
How long does it take you to chew through that taffy you love as your lunch dessert? How about the caramels you enjoy as you work? We remind you that the longer it takes you to chew something and the more resistance that food provides, the harder it is on your jaw joints (or TMJs), which, over time, can lead to strain and even a need for TMJ therapy! So, be careful and mindful of this factor to keep your oral health safe.
Protect Your Smile With Our Help
Remember that we are here to offer you the full selection of treatments you may require from our dental practice to both protect your teeth and repair your oral health if necessary. For advice, see us for visits! To schedule a visit for in Lake Orion, MI, call Lake Orion Family Dentistry today at 248-693-6213.
