Since childhood, we have been telling children that sweets are bad for their teeth and that if they forget to brush their teeth in time, harmful bacteria can build up in their mouths. And, of course, bad breath. But alongside these truths, sometimes we also talk about what’s really bad for your teeth and what’s not. Let’s try to find out the truth together with dentist Diana Markauskiene from CLINIC | DPC.
1. Does eating an apple or carrot really clean my teeth?
Apples and carrots may remove some of the soft plaque from your teeth, but fruit and vegetables are not designed to clean teeth. They are a source of vitamins. In addition, chewing hard food helps the jaws to develop, which reduces orthodontic problems later on.
2. Is it true that drinking fizzy drinks through a straw is less harmful to teeth?
Carbonated drinks, especially sugary drinks, are bad for your teeth, no matter how you drink them. Unless the straw is inserted directly into the esophagus, and you are guaranteed that the drink does not fall on your teeth at all.
3. Are chewy sweets less harmful to teeth than lollipops?
The lollipops are sucked, which means that the teeth are bathed in a pool of sugar and saliva for a long time. Chewy sweets are eaten more quickly, but their residue is more likely to linger in the tooth furrows. Candy and other sweets of any kind are completely incompatible with healthy teeth.
4. Is it true that fruit and berries can damage your teeth?
Fructose, glucose and acids are also present in fruits and berries. Often berries are eaten with added refined sugar, which is really bad for you. After eating acidic fruit or berries, you should not rush to brush your teeth for at least an hour to avoid erosion or sensitivity. However, fruit and berries are a source of vitamins and should not be avoided. Anything eaten in moderation is good.
5. Is dried fruit as bad for your teeth as sweets?
Dried fruit is often sweetened, which is not good for the teeth or overall health. Dried fruit and berries, even unsweetened, contain concentrated amounts of fruit sugar. If you have a choice between fresh fruit and dried fruit (grapes or raisins), choose fresh.
If you want your child to have healthy teeth in all seasons, there are four main factors that should be kept in mind: a good oral hygiene routine, diet, bad habits and physical activity. It is also important that the dentist performs a preventive check-up at least twice a year. However, according to the doctor, the first and most important rule, which has not changed for many years, is to brush your teeth regularly, twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, for two minutes each before going to bed.
