As a parent, you try to make sure that the foods your family eats support good oral health. Of course, you need to avoid candy and other sweets, opting for healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. However, you may be unaware that certain foods, particularly beverages, can be equally damaging to your teeth.
If you want to get the straight scoop on what constitutes good and bad foods, it’s a good idea to contact a top dentist in Birmingham, AL. At Cook Family Dental we provide you patients with exceptional dental care and the information you need to ensure your family enjoys healthy, problem-free smiles.
Here is a list of some drinks that may be damaging your smile without your knowledge:
- Soda, particularly colas – These drinks aren’t just high in sugar; they are also high in acid. This combination promotes decay while the acid eats away at tooth enamel causing dental erosion. Some other drinks to avoid that are high in acid are sugary energy drinks, clear sodas, and orange juice.
- White wine – You may be under the mistaken impression that if you drink white wine, you won’t have to worry about staining that occurs with red wine. Unfortunately, this is incorrect. White wines may lack the pigmentation of red wines, but their high acidity etches the surface of the enamel, creating a perfect surface for pigmentation from other staining foods to stick to.
- Red wine – Almost everyone knows by now that drinking red wine is one of the worst things you can do if you’re worried about a bright smile. You can avoid staining by alternating red wine with a glass of sparkling water. When you swish the water around in your mouth, the carbonation lightly scrubs away the pigmentation that red wine leaves on the surface of your teeth.
Call Your Birmingham AL Family Dentist
These are just a few of the tips we can recommend for maintaining a bright, healthy smile. If you would like to a speak to a top dentist in Birmingham, AL to learn more about foods and habits to avoid from, please give us a call!