Why are some carbohydrates worse for teeth than sugar?/McFarland DDS MS
It turns out that our favorite foods - which are often a substitute for a sweet snack - can be worse for the teeth than all those sugary desserts we've learned to be wary of.
According to a dental expert, what is more dangerous to our teeth than sugar are... fermentable carbohydrates.
Fermentable carbohydrates are the carbohydrates that are easily fermented already in our mouth.
They consist of short chains of sugar molecules, which makes it easier to break them down.
Examples of carbohydrates that damage the teeth are: white bread, pasta, chips, cereal and crackers.
"All of these wreak havoc on your teeth," Whitney Dipoggio, a dental specialist, told The Post.
"The reason fermentable carbohydrates are so bad for our teeth is that they break down into sugars while they're still in our mouths," she explained, calling them "sneaky sugars."
"These specific carbohydrates make the mouth more acidic because saliva works overtime to remove sticky food from your teeth," she added, which "increases your chance of tooth decay."
Parents will often offer their children crackers instead of candy in the belief that it's a healthier option, but Dipoggio warned that "it could be just as bad."
"We all know candy is sugar, right?"
She asked, "But we forget that bread is sugar too."
Dark chocolate, on the other hand, is surprisingly good for your teeth—because it can be easily rinsed off, as are foods that "require heavier biting and chewing," such as hard vegetables (carrots and celery) and whole grains, which are generally better for your dental health.
"You must know all the foods that are healthy for your body. It applies to the teeth just as much as it applies to the body," Dipoggio said.
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However, if you're craving gummy candy or a bag of potato chips, she recommends ending all snacks at once, because snacking throughout the day "is the worst thing you can do to your teeth" because your mouth is constantly acidic.
"If you want to eat these foods, that's fine. Try to eat them all at once, because then it gives your saliva time to neutralize the acidic ph in your mouth from all the sugar," she explained, "So, eating a big meal of unhealthy things It's actually healthier for your mouth than eating snacks throughout the day."
The order also determines
According to the expert, the order in which you eat your favorite foods is just as important.
The neutralizing foods - most fruits, vegetables and dairy items such as yogurt - should always be consumed at the end.
"So, for example, if you're eating cheese and crackers, you should always try to make sure the cheese is the last thing in your mouth to help neutralize the acidic pH that the crackers have caused in the oral cavity," she said, "My favorite is cheddar cheese. It's very neutralizing".
However, if there is no cheese around to clean your mouth, she recommends simply rinsing your mouth with water to remove the food residue or using gum that contains xylitol in its ingredients, as it neutralizes the acidity in the mouth.
"Even if it's healthy food, you don't want any food to sit on your teeth for an extended period of time," she explained, adding that this situation increases the risk of cavities and gum disease.
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However, points out Whitney Dipoggio, nothing beats brushing and flossing, the latter of which is likely not being used enough by some of you.
Dipoggio warned that it takes 24 to 72 hours for plaque -- the sticky film that builds up on our teeth throughout the day -- to harden into permanent tartar.
Therefore, just one day that you "forgot" to floss could accelerate the harmful build-up, which has the potential to destroy bone, cause gum disease or cavities - and worse, lead to tooth loss.
"I know it's dramatic to say 'if you don't floss, you'll lose your teeth,' but technically you can," she warned.
"The number one cause of tooth loss is gum disease, not cavities. In the case of cavities, you usually lose one or two teeth. With gum disease, you lose them all because the bacteria spreads."
Gum disease has also been linked to other health problems, such as an increased risk of heart and kidney disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's and more.
"The blood vessels in your gums are connected to everything in your body," she added, "Harmful tartar bacteria can spread to your heart and increase your risk of heart disease."
So, if "using this floss between your teeth once a day can not only prevent dental disease, but also prevent heart disease...wouldn't you consider sticking to it?"
Dipoggio asked.
In other words, "it's not just about the health of your teeth," she said, "it's about your overall health."
We were convinced.
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Teeth
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carbohydrates
Sugar