We all want to look and feel our best. Part of a healthy lifestyle is eating well and maintaining a good diet. Eating healthy is a goal most of us have because it makes us feel better and look younger. We’ve all heard of the different superfoods that are great for bodies. “There are a number of foods that are said to be extremely healthy for us and part of a balanced diet,” said Dr. Maryam Adibfar, one of Toronto’s best dentists. “However, a lot of people don’t know that those same foods can be quite harmful to our teeth.”
Let’s take a closer look at a few of those super healthy foods that are surprisingly harmful to our oral health. We’ve also included a few tips to help minimize the damage these foods can cause.
Healthy Foods: Citrusy Fruit
Healthy foods, which include fruits like grapefruits, oranges and limes are said to be some of the healthiest foods available. They are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, which are essential to a healthy body. However, they are also very high in acid. This can have a sizeable impact on your oral health because the acid can wear down your enamel. If you do eat these fruits regularly, you’ll want to brush or rinse your mouth soon after consuming them. This will help reduce the amount of time the acid is in the contact with your teeth.
Healthy Foods: Dried Fruit
This can make for a great snack to curb hunger, boost your immune system and assist in your body’s recovery after a workout. Not to mention, they are delicious. The bad news is these portable and easy snacks are very high in sugar and can lead to cavities. Since the water has been removed from them, they are also very sticky, making them hard to remove from your teeth’s surface. You can reduce the impact to your oral health by sipping water while snacking. We also recommend brushing and flossing within 30 minutes of eating them to remove any sticky leftovers.
Healthy Foods: Almonds and Legumes
Whether you’re an athlete, gym fanatic or just a health-conscious person, almonds have tons of healthy benefits. From vitamin E to the healthy fats, almonds are a part of a great diet. Unfortunately, these tasty snacks are difficult to chew. They can potentially crack your teeth and irritate your gums. We always recommend not chewing too hard. If you can, choose sliced almonds instead as they are much less difficult to chew.
Speak to Your Trusted Toronto Dentist
There are a lot of foods that can be harmful to our teeth. We always recommend speaking to your trusted dentist before making alterations in your diet. Ask them about which foods should be avoided and ways that you can reduce the negative impacts your common snacks may have on your oral health.
Rely on their insight, advice and knowledge. This can significantly help improve your chances of keep your teeth strong, healthy and beautiful.
Next Steps
Do you have questions about how to make your teeth whiter or want to schedule check-up, teeth cleaning or routine exam? Contact us directly! Our team looks forward to seeing you.
And don’t forget to follow Dr. Maryam Adibfar on Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter for the latest dental tips, tricks and advice!
A BONUS Just for You!
When you refer a friend, family member or colleague to our office, you’ll receive a $25 gift card to a favourite local coffee shop.
Simply contact our Davisville dental team directly to make a referral! Now that you know how to combat stains, you can enjoy your coffee or tea to the fullest.