4 of the Most Surprising Cavity-Causing Foods

July 2, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — florencedent @ 5:15 pm
Woman experiencing a toothache due to a cavity.

Everyone loves food! But it’s important to watch what you eat, for a variety of different reasons. One of these reasons is your oral health; every single item that enters your mouth heavily influences your teeth and gums, and some of them can easily cause cavities. But candy and sugary sweets aren’t the only items that can jeopardize your oral health—there are some other surprising cavity-causing foods out there that your dentist in Florence wants you to know about. Here’s more about four of them.

Saltine Crackers

Saltines paired with a bowl of soup is a classic when you’re cold or feeling under the weather, but these crackers aren’t great for your teeth. They contain processed carbohydrates and starches, which can be just as bad for your tooth enamel as high amounts of sugar. Not to mention, when you eat saltines, they’re crushed into a fine powder that leaves starchy residue in the crevices of your teeth and mouth!

Raisins

Raisins actually have quite a few nutritional benefits; they’re packed with vitamins and minerals, they boost your iron levels, and they aid your stomach with digestion. That said, they still pose quite a threat to your oral health! These dried little grapes are naturally high in sugar—one of those small boxes can  contain as much sugar as a candy bar or can of soda! Raisins are also small and sticky and can easily become lodged between your teeth and gums.

Alcoholic Drinks

Many alcoholic beverages, especially beer and ciders, contain sugars and starches that can harm your teeth. But the real issue with these drinks is that they’ll dry out your mouth and halt its natural flow of saliva. Your saliva plays a large role in preventing oral health issues like tooth decay and cavities; if your mouth is dry, bacteria can grow and spread much more quickly.

Cough Syrup

Even though this isn’t technically a food, it’s still something that’s imbibed and comes into contact with your teeth. That said, many cough syrups contain so much sugar that people who are diabetic must use extreme caution, as to not spike their blood sugar levels! But even if you aren’t diabetic, you should still exercise care.  Even though they’re meant to suppress a cough and make you feel better, the incredibly high amounts of sugar found in many of these products can wreak havoc on your tooth enamel.

Regular oral hygiene plays a large part in preventing cavities, but that’s not all that matters! Being mindful of what you eat and avoiding certain cavity-causing foods can ensure that your mouth is as happy and healthy as possible.

About the Practice

Florence Dental Studio proudly serves patients and families in the Florence, NJ community under the leadership of Dr. Joseph Montalbano and Dr. Dara Nikoonezhad! Both dentists have several years of experience and their practice is pleased to provide many available services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative options. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule a visit, feel free to contact the practice online or by phone: (609) 499-3800.