It turns out that sugary treats, wine and coffee aren't the only food and drink culprits capable of wreaking havoc on the teeth. There are other, more surprising offenders that may be causing more damage to your oral health than you thought.
Here's what to keep an eye out for!
Popcorn
What trip to the cinema would be complete without a bucket of sweet and salty popcorn? It's one of the healthier snacks to enjoy after all. However, while engrossed in the film, many moviegoers may aimlessly munch down on the unpopped kernels at the bottom of the box. These small and hard husks get trapped within the teeth and if not noticed or removed quickly can cause cavities, abscess and even tooth loss. Therefore, it's important to floss after eating popcorn to avoid these problems.
Sports drinks
They're known for replacing sweat and electrolytes after an extensive workout, but sports drinks are also renowned for their high amounts of sugar. The average 600ml bottle of Powerade contains nearly 35 grams of sugar – that's nearly the same amount as a can of Coca Cola! Sugar is one of the biggest contributors to tooth decay, which overtime can lead to more serious oral conditions such as cavities. To avoid major complications down the line, always rinse your mouth with water after consuming a sports drink or use a straw to minimise the amount of sugar contact on the teeth.
The average 600ml bottle of Powerade contains nearly 35 grams of sugar!
Dried fruits
Dried fruits are often plugged as one of the healthier alternatives to sugary treats or crisps. However, unlike their fresh counterparts, dried fruits are bad for the waistline and the teeth. They contain high amounts of natural sugars which become incredibly concentrated after the water has been removed from the fruit. This concentrated sugar becomes sticky and adheres to the teeth when chewed, causing just as much damage as candy. The solution? Stick to fresh fruit which will keep you fuller for longer and contains less sugar.
If you're concerned about the state of your oral health, book a routine dental check up with the team at City Dentists today.