You probably think you have a handle on which foods cause cavities. Only stuff like cakes, cookies, candies, and ice cream generate tooth decay, right? You only need to avoid desserts and holiday sweets to support your teeth. Everything else, though? Fair game.
Unfortunately, your dentist in Kansas City knows this isn’t true. Many foods you wouldn’t expect can create cavities. For instance, read about the three products below before deciding on your next snack.
Saltine Crackers
Wait a minute — saltines are salty, not sweet. How could eating them induce cavities?
The problem is that saltine crackers are primarily composed of carbohydrates and starches. These latter ingredients harm teeth almost as much as artificial sugars, encouraging bacteria to erode your tooth enamel.
Chewed saltines tend to stick to the inside of your mouth too. These stuck bits become hard to remove from tooth surfaces, increasing the risk of cavities, decay, and other oral health problems.
Raisins
Given their shriveled appearance, you could easily think that raisins are bland and have no negative impact on teeth. However, you’d be wrong.
As it turns out, a box of raisins has nearly the same amount of sugar as a candy bar. They therefore encourage oral bacteria to produce acids that hurt enamel and lead to cavities.
Like chewed saltines, raisins also cling to tooth surfaces and thus cause even more damage. Still, eating them in moderation is okay. They have nutritional benefits like aiding digestion, boosting iron levels, and strengthening bones.
Cough Syrup
For a medicine that’s supposed to treat illness, cough syrup has a large amount of sugar. In fact, it’s enough that diabetics have to be careful about ingesting it. Should they do so, it could result in a dangerous spike in blood sugar levels. Given this sugary excess, cough syrup erodes teeth as well as any other sweet treat.
There isn’t any proof that over-the-counter cough medicines like syrups are effective, either. Instead of spending money on an uncertain treatment that harms your oral health, try an alternative.
Cavities shouldn’t just be associated with processed foods like candies and chocolate. Remember the above foods’ risks to keep a healthy diet for your whole body!
About the Author
Dr. Michael C. Byars is a dentist based in Kansas City, MO, having earned his DDS from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He later completed a one-year residency focused on complex restorative dental procedures. He furthers his ability with continuing education courses from organizations like Spear, even exceeding the required yearly CE credits. Dr. Byars currently practices at his self-titled clinic and can be reached at his website or by phone at (816)-781-8222.