Holiday Treats that are Bad for Teeth

The holidays have arrived and that means lots of holiday goodies. However, those sweet and savory treats that are not so good for your waistline are not good for your teeth either. In fact, some foods can cause serious damage to your teeth.

According to your family dentist in Corona, some foods you can skip will keep you out of the dentist’s chair before your regularly scheduled dental appointment.

 Starchy Foods that are Bad for Teeth

Pretzels, Christmas cakes, cookies and your grandmothers favorite gingerbread men may be delicious, but they are bad for teeth. Because starchy foods convert to bacteria and acid and stick to the backs of your teeth, they can wear down the enamel on your teeth. If you must indulge, make sure to rinse and brush afterwards.

Sticky Foods that are Bad for Teeth

Most sticky foods are bad for teeth. From sweet and gooey caramels to your favorite dried apricots, figs, dates and pineapple, sticky foods stick between your teeth eating away at the enamel on your teeth. Sticky foods can also cause problems for your dental restorations. Try enjoying along with a meal or avoid sticky foods completely.

Citrus Fruits in Moderation

Heading to the fruit basket instead of the sweets table at your work Christmas party is good for your waistline, but best to enjoy in moderation. Citrus fruits are bad for teeth as they are highly acidic and loaded with natural sugar. Your Corona family dentist recommends that you enjoy fruit as part of a meal. If you do snack on a tangerine during a break make sure to chase it with a glass of water.

Regular Dental Checkups for Healthy Teeth and Gums

If you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy over the holidays, try to avoid damaging foods and don’t forget to schedule your annual comprehensive dental examination with your dentist in Corona today.

Constant Dieting Can Ruin Teeth and Gums

If you are constantly dieting, your teeth and gums could be affected. People who limit food intake and embark on crazy diets run the risk of damaging tooth enamel and gum tissue.

Before you start any diet, see your primary care physician and your dentist to make sure you are healthy to begin any type of diet.

Keto Diet

This popular diet eliminates carbohydrates from the diet. People who are successful on the diet will go through ketosis. This process causes the body to burn fat, not carbohydrates.

Although there is nothing to indicate tooth or gum damage with the Keto or low carb diet, it will affect your breath. People in ketosis will have breath that smells like old fruit or nail polish remover. Chew on natural herbs such as mint, and, God forbid, eat a carb or two. Adding carbs every occasionally will keep your halitosis at bay.

Diets Low in Fat

Interring with the body’s ability to absorb vitamins, diets that are low in fat deplete the body of much needed nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are vital for oral health. Vitamin D is very important as it helps calcium absorption. Calcium builds strong teeth.

Diets that are low in fat also can stress as your body lacks essential omega-3 fatty acids. Teeth clenching and grinding is often a result of stress and anxiety.

Low Calorie Diets

You will see better results on the scale if you cut calories. However, doing so can deplete your body of vitamins and minerals, and you guessed it, will lead to malnutrition. People who do not get enough nutrition will have soft enamel and spongy gums. Soft enamel causes cavities and spongy gums cause gingivitis or the more serious periodontal disease.

Ask your doctor about a sensible diet plan that does not cut so many calories.

Before you start any diet talk to you primary care physician. Schedule an appointment with your dentist and make sure to take care of your teeth and gums.

Call for a dental checkup with your dentist in Corona today.

Are E Cigarettes Bad for Teeth and Gums?

E-cigarettes are growing in popularity with former smokers shouting the benefits of vaping. Unlike tobacco, e-cigarettes use vapor instead of smoke. However, some e-cigs still contain nicotine, which can cause problems for your teeth and gums.

Everyone knows that tobacco is bad for teeth and gums and bad for overall health. Tobacco causes gum disease, tooth decay and eventual tooth loss. Smoking or chewing tobacco can also lead to dry mouth and tooth sensitivity, but it isn’t just tobacco that can cause problems for your teeth and gums.

Although vaping hasn’t been around long enough for conclusive studies, some patients who vape have reported tooth sensitivity, dry mouth, sore gums and gum recession.

Below is what dentists know now:

In the studies that have been conducted, it appears that nicotine reduces the blood flow through the veins, the heart, and the brain. Without oxygen, your gum tissue will die.

Some dentists in Corona are also discovering that E-cigarettes can mask other symptoms such as gum disease. Because the flow of blood has been reduced, it is nearly impossible to detect blood in the gum tissue.

Studies indicate that nicotine is a muscle stimulant. This will cause people with bruxism to continue clenching and grinding. Teeth grinding and clenching can wear down your teeth and lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

Vaping is much safer than smoking with some studies indicating it is about 98 percent safer than tobacco. With that being said, most vapers aren’t concerned with the possible complications from using E-cigarettes. People who don’t add nicotine to the, “Juice,” will not have the nicotine complications. However, it is important that you continue seeing your dentist on a regular basis.

If you would like more information regarding E-cigarettes and vaping, call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist in Corona today. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.