The summer season is in full swing. With the sun and heat, people are spending more time outdoors and hopefully enjoying a well deserved break, especially here in Montreal where it is such a short season.
Summertime brings summer activities, and summer foods. Today we are going to talk about some summer foods that can be damaging to your teeth. And yes I agree, these foods can be enjoyed all year round, but they may be a bit more common during the summer months.
Lemonade
Lemonade is delicious. It’s tart, refreshing and thirst quenching. It is also very acidic and often very full of sugar. The acidity in lemonade, and in any other type of fruit / citrus beverage, can cause harmful erosion on your teeth. This is particularly true if you are someone who enjoys swishing around the juice in your mouth, you know, to get all the flavour. Acid wear can lead to teeth feeling more sensitive, and being more prone to cavities as the protective enamel is lost. They can also make teeth look more unsightly, as the colour of the tooth under the enamel tends to be more yellow.
To help counter the acidic effects of lemonade, try to drink it only with a straw. Don’t swish it around in your mouth, swallow it immediately. And you may want to drink water afterwards to rinse out the acid.
Popsicles
Who doesn’t love a popsicle? I’ll include freezies and, ice cream and any other frozen treat in this category as well. The problem is that these treats are loaded with sugar. Most people know that sugar causes cavities, but not everyone knows the way this happens. Bacteria that lives in your mouth consumes sugar and produces a type of acid that causes tooth decay. The longer the sugar is in your mouth, the more the bacteria is producing the acid. If you were to eat a sugar cookie, for example, once you swallow it is mostly no longer in your mouth. Not so with a popsicle that melts while you suck on it, providing a long lasting supply of sugar for those hungry bacteria.
BBQ
Summer BBQs are the best. But there has been a lot of talk in the news lately about the bristles from metal wire brush cleaners coming loose and getting into food. Aside from the risk of swallowing the bristles, it’s possible that they lodge into your gums or even cause a tooth to chip if you bite into one. This may be a fairly rare occurrence, but it’s still worth being cautious about.
Popcorn
While not strictly a summer food, popcorn is a threatening food for your teeth and gums. First, the risk of biting into an un-popped kernel can cause a tooth or filling to break. More commonly, the husk or skin of the kernel can lodge under your gums or between your teeth. This can lead to irritation, bleeding or if stuck long enough, an infection of the gums. To help solve this problem if it occurs, floss your teeth regularly. Not only will you remove food particles from between your teeth, you will be keeping your gums and teeth in optimal health.
Beer
Is beer really bad for your teeth? Well there are some effects that alcoholic beverages in general, and beer in particular, may have on your oral health. First, alcohol has a tendency to dry out your mouth. A dry mouth, besides being uncomfortable, can be an increased risk for tooth decay. Certain beers, stouts in particular, have a darker colour and are brewed with roasted malts and barley that can stain teeth.
Of course, the biggest risk with consuming alcohol is oral cancer. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, alcohol, particularly when combined with tobacco use, can increase the risk of developing oral cancer.
So if you do drink, please do in moderation. And if you have any questions, contact us here at Downtown Montreal Dentistry. Have a great summer!
The food which we eat has a direct impact on our dental health. So, it is very important to avoid such foods which are bad for teeth. Thanks for sharing this article.