If
you are like most people, you associate the lazy days of summer with
backyard cookouts, family reunions, and other food-related social
gatherings. All of these events can be a lot of fun, and the foods
found there can be very tasty.
Unfortunately,
some of the foods you may consume may not be the best choices when it
comes to your teeth. Here is a list of a few summer foods that can
actually wreak havoc on your teeth.
1.
Sugary Foods
Summer
food is all about fresh fruit cobblers, homemade ice cream, ice-cold
sodas, and more. If you go to the fair or an amusement park, you will
be surrounded by cotton candy, donuts, fried dough, and many other
sticky treats.
Of
course, the heat of summer will make you crave some type of soft
drink, sports drink, sweet ice tea, juice, or more. The hotter it
gets the more you will probably want to drink.
All
of these things have one thing in common and that is the high amount
of sugar they contain. Unfortunately, as we all know, sugar causes
tooth decay.
Sugar
does this by attracting and feeding Streptococcus
mutans
and Streptococcus
sorbrinus,
two
naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria then form
dental plaque which coats the surface of your teeth.
If
the plaque is not cleaned away it can lower the pH levels in your
mouth to an acidic level which will erode or cause small holes in
your tooth's enamel. If left unaddressed, these places in your enamel
can lead to cavities.
2.
Acidic Foods
Nothing
says summer like ice cold lemonade. While this beverage too probably
contains high levels of sugar, the lemon juice the lemonade contains
is a highly acidic juices with a pH of 2.0
- 2.60.
Other
high acidic summer foods include many of the fresh fruits you look
forward to during the summer. These include:
- Plums
- Grapes
- Blueberries
- Pineapples
- Apples
- Peaches
Tomatoes
and tomato-based products such as ketchup, salsa, and hot sauce can
also be very acidic. High acidic levels in your mouth can cause your
enamel to weaken and some of these foods can cause your teeth to
become discolored.
While
you may want to brush immediately after consuming sugary foods, you
may want to wait a short while after consuming highly acidic foods.
This is because brushing the weakened enamel can increase the wearing
of your teeth.
3.
Ice
Although
ice is technically not a food or drink category, ice is a summer
staple. While you may consume those frozen bits that just linger in
the bottom of your cup, compulsive ice chewing can damage your teeth.
Ice
chewing can result in cracked or broken teeth, and cause you to break
crowns, partials, or bridges. It can even result in pain to your gums
and in your jaw muscles.
If
you are going to eat ice, consider shaved ice, popsicles, or
slushies. These treats are much less likely to cause dental damage.
4.
Alcohol
Many
summer parties come with at least one or more types of alcoholic
drinks. Most of them are harmful to your teeth and can cause dental
damage.
Those
fancy summer punches are not only full of sugar, but many contain
some form of acidic juice. This combination can form a sticky dental
plaque that not only adheres to your teeth but that quickly starts
eroding your enamel.
If
you are worried about wine staining your teeth, stay away from the
darker beers and malt liquors. The dark barley and malts found in
these darker beverages can stain your teeth just like wine.
One
of the best ways to keep summer foods and drinks from wreaking havoc
on your teeth is to make sure you have a dental checkup every six
months. Here at the dental office of Dr.
Michael G. Landy,
we will be happy to help you with that. Call us today so that we can
schedule your appointment.
