If you’re a lover of food, you probably know all too well that there are several foods out there that don’t exactly agree with our pearly whites; some items can rapidly expedite oral issues like decay by becoming lodged between the teeth! When this happens, it’s important to address the issue quickly by either flossing or seeking the assistance of your dentist; however, also simply being mindful of certain foods can help prevent the issue from unfolding in the first place! Here are five foods that you should enjoy with particular caution.
Popcorn
Popcorn is notoriously one of the most difficult foods to remove from the mouth; those pesky little kernels have an uncanny knack for becoming stuck between teeth! Popcorn kernels and shells can even press into the front portion of the tooth and move beneath the gum line, and in some cases, dental floss might not even be able to help, and you’ll have to seek assistance from your dentist.
Tender Meats
Typically, most meats are fairly chewy, and thin strands can easily end up caught between your front and back teeth if you’re a regular carnivore. Tougher meats such as steak are especially difficult to remove from between teeth, as well as meats that are consumed right off the bone like ribs or chicken wings.
White Bread
White bread might seem relatively harmless, but the particles of the bread are likely to become mushed up during the chewing process and trapped in spaces between the teeth. These bits can be tough to clear out, but it’s worth noting that if you opt for wheat bread instead, the issue isn’t nearly as prevalent!
Chips & Crackers
A few chips or crackers might not seem very problematic, but believe it or not, these salty, starchy snacks can be pretty terrible for your teeth. Saltine crackers, for instance, are especially bad since they’re made of a highly processed and fermentable starch; the powdery residue can easily end up stuck in teeth, encouraging bacterial growth. Potato chips aren’t much better, as they can clump up in the deep grooves on top of your teeth in addition to becoming stuck between them.
Spinach
It’s important to mention here that spinach is revered by nutritionists as a “superfood” and has untold health benefits—however, it also has the annoying tendency to find its way between teeth with relative ease! While it won’t necessarily cause you discomfort, people will certainly notice if you have spinach stuck in your teeth! Not to mention, as with other foods, it can contribute to tooth decay and other oral health issues if left unaddressed.
About the Practice
Here at University Dental Group, we proudly provide an exceptional level of dental care for all patients and families in the Worcester, MA community! We are thrilled to offer a comprehensive range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services to bring your smile to a satisfactory state. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, you can contact us online or over the phone for information or assistance: (508) 372-8663.