Summertime is a beautiful time of year. The long sunny days are perfect for lounging by the pool or on the beach. Summer food is also spot-on: hello barbecue, iced drinks, and ice cream! But sometimes, these foods are better for our tastebuds than they are for our teeth. We’ve put together a list of summer foods you might want to avoid this year!
Corn on the Cob
What barbecue is complete without corn on the cob? We know this is a summertime staple, and it goes so well with thick butter, salt, and a bit of pepper, but only if our teeth and gums felt the same way. Corn on the cob easily gets stuck between your teeth and if it stays there, it can attract bacteria and plaque. If you absolutely cannot resist that tasty corn on the cob, then at the very least floss your teeth after eating it as soon as possible!
Lemonade
We’ve done some research into lemonade and found that commercial, processed lemonade “showed the most aggressive dissolution effect on dental enamel.” The research was conducted by researchers J. Anthony von Fraunhofer, MSc, PhD, FRSC, FADM, and Matthew Rogers, DDS. “This study revealed that the enamel damage caused by noncola and sports beverages was three to 11 times greater than cola-based drinks, with energy drinks and bottled lemonades causing the most harm to dental enamel,” von Fraunhofer said.
While lemonade may be irresistible, you might want to wash it down with some water after drinking it to rinse away some of the acid that destroys enamel.
Barbecue Sauce
BBQ sauces tastes delicious on everything…chicken…ribs…french fries…and even pizza! Unfortunately, it is full of sugar and high fructose corn syrup, and is like liquid candy for your teeth. If you’re eating lots of barbecue this summer, protect your teeth by drinking lots of water or brushing your teeth soon after eating.
Another surprising find is how bad lots of swimming can be for your teeth. If you swim in a chemically treated pool for more than six hours a week, you can develop brown stains on your teeth, known as “swimmer’s calculus.” To remove these stains, wear a tight-fitting mouthguard while swimming or get a professional teeth cleaning.
If your teeth need a little extra TLC this summer, call Dr. Vann now for a teeth cleaning or a professional teeth whitening! You can also schedule your appointment online.