When you learn that certain foods have health benefits, it may seem strange to consider that while these foods are helping some parts of your body, they may be harming others. best full spectrum cbd oil Canada When it comes to your teeth, some foods that carry healthy vitamins or nutrients can actually hurt your teeth by eroding enamel and/or causing decay. Read on to find a few examples of foods that may be good for your body but harmful to your dental health, and what you can do to minimize the damage.
–Red wine
It has long been believed that a moderate intake of red wine has cardiovascular benefits. Experts attribute these benefits to the antioxidants called flavonoids contained in the grapes used to make wine. Flavonoids are thought to benefit heart health by boosting the ratio of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol to low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the body. HDL cholesterols are commonly known as ‘good’ cholesterols because they help the heart function normally, whereas LDL cholesterols allow plaque to build up in arteries and promote heart disease.
Red wine is also high in acidity, which can erode the protective surface of the teeth known as enamel. This acidity along with the dark coloring of red wine can lead to staining as well; the acids weaken your enamel and allow the color of the wine to ‘stick’ to your teeth. To help resist both erosion and staining after drinking red wine, try to brush your teeth within 30 to 60 minutes after drinking. If brushing isn’t possible, give your mouth a good rinse with water to wash away any residue left on the teeth. You can also try nibbling on a bit of cheese along with your wine- the caseins in cheese help negate the acidity of wine, and the waxy texture tends to form a sort of temporary protective coating on the teeth.
–Chewy vitamins
You already know why vitamin supplements are helpful- few of us get all the nutrition we need from our diets, and chewable vitamins especially seem like a good idea for children who may be resistant to taking vitamins in other forms. However, as far as dental health is concerned, those vitamins may as well be candy, if they taste good it may be because they are full of sugar. Since chewy, sticky or gummy candies are by far the worst for teeth, coating them in a sugary residue and working its way in to all the nooks and crannies in the mouth, the same goes for chewy vitamins or vitamin gummies. Even while the body is absorbing and benefiting from the vitamins, the sugar is encouraging bacteria and decay in your mouth.
-Citrus fruits
We’ve always been told fruits are great for us, and for good reason- most fruits contain vitamin C, which helps protect us against cardiovascular and joint diseases as well as cancer. They’re also a great source of folate, a vitamin that helps new cells form and is especially important during growth or healing. Potassium is another important nutrient present in citrus fruits; it helps carry nerve impulses to muscles throughout the body.
Despite all the nutritional potential of citrus fruits, you can probably guess what makes them harmful for teeth- sugar and acid. Many citrus fruits are highly acidic- oranges, lemons and grapefruits are among the most harmful to teeth in that their natural acidity damages enamel. Although natural, the sugar in fruit is still harmful to teeth, especially when enamel is softened and damaged by acidity The liquid/pulpy texture of many fruits allows juice and small pieces to make their way in between and in to the creases in teeth, increasing the exposure to harmful acid and sugar. Don’t avoid eating fruit, because the health benefits are substantial- just brush your teeth about 30 minutes after eating them, and rinse your mouth out with water or drink water while you’re snacking on fruit