The Worst Foods For Your Teeth
TLDRThis informative video script highlights foods that are surprisingly worse for your teeth than candy. Dental hygienist Whitney explains that fermentable carbohydrates, such as crackers and bread, break down into sugars in the mouth, leading to tooth decay. She advises against dried fruit, soda, and juices due to their high sugar and acid content. Whitney also warns about the damaging effects of coffee, tea, alcohol, ice, energy drinks, and pickles on dental health. She emphasizes the importance of rinsing with water after consuming these foods and maintaining good oral hygiene practices to prevent cavities.
Takeaways
- 🍬 Candy is known to be bad for teeth, but there are other foods that can be worse.
- 🥪 Saltine crackers, despite not being sweet, are fermentable carbohydrates and can break down into sugars in the mouth, leading to cavities.
- 🍞 Starchy carbohydrates like bread, chips, and pasta can get sticky and stuck in teeth, making them harder to clean and increasing cavity risk.
- 🍇 Dried fruit is high in sugar and sticky, similar to candy; it's better to opt for fresh fruit when possible.
- 🥤 Soda is not only high in sugar but also very acidic, which can break down enamel and cause staining.
- 🍎 Juice, even natural ones, contain sugars and acids that can harm teeth. Watered-down juices and using a straw can help minimize contact with teeth.
- ☕ Coffee and tea are acidic and can dry out the mouth, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Rinse with water after consumption.
- 🍶 Alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and cocktails can cause dry mouth and prolonged contact with teeth can lead to cavities.
- 🧊 Chewing ice can cause unnecessary stress on teeth, potentially leading to cracks and sensitivity.
- 🥦 Pickles are acidic and can contribute to tooth wear. Consumption should be limited, especially in vinegar-based pickles.
- 🍊 Citrus fruits are acidic and can erode tooth enamel. They should be consumed in moderation and not used as a regular additive to water.
Q & A
What is Whitney's profession?
-Whitney is a dental hygienist.
Why are saltine crackers considered harmful to teeth even though they are not candy?
-Saltine crackers are considered harmful to teeth because they are fermentable carbohydrates, which break down into sugars while being chewed in the mouth, leading to tooth decay.
What advice does Whitney give for reducing the cavity-causing effects of starchy carbohydrates?
-Whitney suggests eating less refined varieties of starchy carbohydrates, such as whole wheat, and to not let these carbs be stuck on your teeth for a prolonged period of time. She also recommends drinking water while eating them to help wash away food particles.
Why should dried fruit be avoided according to the video?
-Dried fruit should be avoided because it is sticky and high in sugar, making it similar to candy in its effect on teeth. If fresh fruit is not available, one should brush and floss properly after consuming dried fruit and drink water to maintain oral hygiene.
What are the main issues with soda that make it harmful to teeth?
-Soda is harmful to teeth because it contains a large amount of sugar, which can cause cavities, and it is also very acidic. The acidity can break down enamel, and soda can also stain teeth.
How can the acidity of coffee and tea affect dental health?
-The acidity of coffee and tea can break down tooth enamel, and they can also lead to dry mouth due to their diuretic properties. This dryness increases the risk of cavities and gum disease. Drinking water and rinsing the mouth after consuming these beverages can help mitigate these effects.
What is Whitney's recommendation for consuming alcohol to minimize dental issues?
-Whitney recommends rinsing with water after consuming alcohol, especially since alcohol can dry out the mouth, leading to cavities and gum disease. Using a fluoride mouthwash as part of the bedtime routine after a night of drinking can also be beneficial.
What is the potential harm of chewing ice, as mentioned in the video?
-Chewing ice can cause unnecessary stress on teeth, potentially leading to cracks, which can result in long-term sensitivity and enamel loss. It is safe to use ice to cool drinks, but one should not chew on it.
What does the video say about the impact of pickles on dental health?
-Pickles, due to their vinegar content, are acidic and can wear away teeth, leading to tooth decay. Eating pickles more than once a day significantly increases the risk of tooth wear.
How can the acidity of citrus fruits affect dental health?
-The acidity of citrus fruits can erode tooth enamel and cause tooth wear. They can also cause discomfort for those with existing mouth issues. It is important to be mindful of the acidic nature of these fruits and to rinse the mouth with water after consuming them.
What general advice does Whitney give for maintaining good dental health when consuming sugary or acidic foods?
-Whitney advises to always rinse the mouth with water after consuming sugary or acidic foods and to brush and floss properly after every snack and meal. This helps to minimize the risk of tooth decay and maintain good oral hygiene.
Outlines
🍬 Beyond Candy: Surprising Tooth Decay Culprits
This paragraph discusses how certain everyday foods can be more harmful to teeth than candy. It highlights that fermentable carbohydrates, such as saltine crackers, bread, and pasta, break down into sugars in the mouth, leading to tooth decay. The importance of choosing less refined carbohydrates like whole wheat and the recommendation to drink water while consuming these foods to aid in washing away food particles is emphasized. The paragraph also warns against dried fruit, soda, and juice due to their high sugar and acid content, which can cause cavities and enamel breakdown. It suggests alternatives and strategies to mitigate the harmful effects, like using a straw and rinsing with water after consumption.
🍵 Acidic Beverages and Other Dental Hazards
The second paragraph addresses various beverages and food items that are detrimental to dental health. It explains that coffee and tea, although potentially beneficial for the body, are acidic and can lead to dry mouth, cavities, and staining when consumed regularly. The paragraph advises rinsing with water after drinking these beverages to minimize their impact on teeth. It also cautions against consuming alcohol, as it can dry out the mouth and prolong contact with harmful substances. Additionally, it mentions the damaging effects of chewing ice, consuming pickles, and eating citrus fruits on tooth enamel. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to limit sugar intake and maintain proper oral hygiene practices, such as rinsing with water and brushing after eating.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡dental hygiene
💡cavities
💡fermentable carbohydrates
💡dry mouth
💡enamel
💡sugar
💡acidic foods and drinks
💡starchy carbs
💡water
💡rinsing
💡tooth wear
Highlights
Saltine crackers are considered fermentable carbohydrates, which break down into sugars while being chewed in the mouth.
Fermentable carbs are the 'sneaky super bad sugars' that can cause cavities.
When eating starchy carbs like bread, try to eat less refined varieties such as whole wheat to reduce the rate of getting cavities.
Dried fruit is essentially like candy and should be avoided for fresh fruit when possible.
Soda is bad for teeth due to its high sugar content and acidity, which can break down enamel and cause cavities.
Juice, especially apple juice, is very sugary and acidic, and should be avoided or watered down for kids.
Gummy vitamins are bad for teeth as they are packed with sugar and are sticky.
Coffee and tea are both acidic and diuretic, which can dry out the mouth and make one more prone to cavities and gum disease.
Alcohol, including beer, wine, and cocktails, can dry out the mouth and cause cavities due to their sugar and acidity.
Avoid chewing on ice as it can cause unnecessary stress on teeth, leading to cracks and long-term sensitivity.
Energy and sports drinks are filled with sugar and acids, which are bad for teeth, so it's recommended to drink water instead.
Pickles are acidic and can wear away teeth, increasing the odds of tooth wear by 85 percent when eaten more than once a day.
Citrus fruits are acidic and can cause tooth wear and discomfort, especially for those with mouth sores.
Sugars exist in many forms and all forms can cause tooth decay, so it's important to rinse the mouth with water after consuming sugary foods.
Proper brushing and flossing after every snack and meal can help prevent tooth decay.
Transcripts
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