With only a few hours left until the new year, you are once again surrounded by a wide variety of food and beverages, whether outdoors or at home. On this day of the year, you may tend to consume more food and drink than usual, which can affect your oral health. However, most of the foods and drinks you enjoy prepared specifically for this night are harmful and unhealthy for your teeth. It should not be forgotten that what you need to pay attention to in your New Year’s menu is not only your weight but also your dental health.
Which Foods on Your Menu Are Harmful to Your Teeth?
Chocolates and Desserts
Chocolate and sweets both contain very high amounts of sugar and as we know sugar is the worst enemy of your teeth. Sugar produces bacteria that begin to attack your teeth. This is what causes tooth decay. Chocolate and desserts may be on your menu for the new year, but if you can resist them, your teeth will truly thank you. If not, you can opt for dark chocolates as they contain much less sugar.
Sweets
Napping is a dentist’s worst nightmare. It is sugary, sticky and hard. Because of this texture, many patients have cracked and broken their teeth while biting into the candy. They can even damage your existing dentures, such as fillings, veneers, and crowns. The stickiness of the toffee means it stays in your mouth for a long time as it gets stuck between your teeth after you’ve finished eating.
Mulled Wine, Alcoholic Beverages
The main ingredient in mulled wine is red wine, which is famous for staining teeth. In addition, it contains plenty of sugar. Oranges are also often added to mulled wine and, as a citrus fruit, can accelerate the effects of acidic sugar. In general, mulled wine can cause surface staining, tooth decay, and tooth erosion.
Many alcoholic beverages directly expose teeth to acid corrosion. Acid weakens teeth, making them more prone to damage. It can also cause gum disease, dry mouth, tooth stains and even oral cancer.
You can reduce its harmful effect on your oral health by choosing lower alcohol beverages, drinking a glass of water after each alcoholic drink, and avoiding salty snacks that can tempt you to drink more.
Nuts and Chips
Hard-shelled nuts can cause your teeth to crack or even break. It can also damage your fillings and your braces and brackets, if you have them.
Although chips are fun to eat, they are a starchy carbohydrate food source. Potato chips are often coated with sugary spice blends for flavor. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your oral cavity, causing plaque buildup and tooth decay. Starchy carbohydrates, in particular, tend to stick to the tooth surface. If you do not intend to give up chips completely, we recommend that you brush and floss your teeth immediately after snacking.
In Conclusion;
You may be surrounded by many tempting treats on New Year’s Eve. However, all these delicious foods and drinks can also be very harmful to your teeth. You’re likely to increase your sugar intake, whether through alcohol or sweet foods, so it’s really important that you take extra care to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.
As the Dentsuadiye family, we are here to help you get through the new year with a healthy, pain-free smile that looks great. To get in touch, you can reach us on our WhatsApp line at +90 549 827 73 20.
