During this uncertain time, you’re probably staying home at all cost to avoid contact with the coronavirus. You may be taking certain precautions to stay healthy, but there are some additional steps you can take to protect your teeth. The last thing you need right now is a dental emergency, which is why your dentist wants to give you an easy way to minimize your risk of harming your smile! Keep reading to learn about the foods you should avoid during quarantine for a safe set of teeth.
Ice is Made to Chill Not Chew
Many people like to chew on ice. Whether it’s refreshing, a stress reliver, or just a habit you’ve gotten into since you were a kid, ice can hurt your smile! Biting down on ice cubes can result in painful broken teeth that require an emergency visit. That’s why it’s best to let your ice melt, especially during this uncertain time.
Sugar is not so Sweet Afterall
Sugary snacks may be a go-to food for you during quarantine, but this ingredient can hurt your smile. Sugar interacts with bacteria in your mouth, creating acids that eat away at enamel. This can weaken teeth, but it can also cause infections, which will require root canal therapy with your emergency dentist. Plus, sugar can contribute to gum disease as well as overall health problems.
A Sticky Situation
Sticky foods like taffy, toffee, syrups, certain sauces, and more often contain sugar, and their consistency allows the sugar to stay in contact with your teeth for longer periods of time. This increases your risk of toothaches, cavities and decay. However, sticky foods can also dislodge a crown or filling, exposing sensitive damaged or decayed parts of the tooth. To avoid this pain and discomfort, you should especially watch out for sticky foods during quarantine.
Crunchy Foods Can Crack
Another food that can cause sudden dental injury is any items that are hard or crunchy. Many times, all it takes is biting down on the wrong popcorn kernel to break, crack, or fracture a tooth. The same can be said for biting on hard candy, crunchy nuts, or even nonfood items that you like to chew on. To limit your risk of needing to visit the emergency dentist, it’s best to avoid these foods, or chewing on anything inedible to stay healthy.
What to Eat Instead
Instead of sugary sweets, try fruits and veggies. They can naturally scrub away plaque and bacteria! If you like chewing on ice cubes, switch to cold drinks of water. In fact, most tap water contains fluoride, which helps fight cavities. Water, fruits, and veggies also naturally stimulate saliva flow, helping your mouth stay clean and free of dental problems.
Keeping your smile safe during quarantine can be easy! Just remember this important information to avoid a visit to your emergency dentist.
Meet the Dentist
Dr. Nicholas Brong has closed his doors during this time to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, but he is ready in your time of need if you do end up having a dental emergency. He has provided these easy tips to help his patients stay healthy. If you have any questions, he can be reached through his website or by phone at (507) 288-1066.
