Candy Isn’t The Only Cavity-Causing Culprit To Consider

YOU’VE BEEN WARNED ABOUT CANDY and its harmful effects to your teeth since before you can remember. Possibly even since before you even had teeth!

And it’s true: candy can do a real number on your teeth. However, we’ve noticed that many patients here in the Boston area never learned that there are OTHER foods that can be just as bad.

Carbs Cause Cavities Too!

Both sugars AND starches can cause trouble for your teeth. How? Well, sneaky fermentable carbs can break down into simple sugars while they’re still in your mouth. And whether it’s sugar from a croissant, or sugar from a peppermint patty, the reaction in your mouth is the same.

Look Out For These Troublesome Foods:

  • White-flour crackers (like goldfish, or saltines)
  • Cookies
  • Pretzels
  • Potato chips

Have you ever noticed how these munchies stick in your teeth long after you’ve finished them? That’s breaking down into sugar, forming a paste on your teeth, and reacting with bacteria to cause an acid attack.

Be Smarter About Your Snacks

Now, this doesn’t mean you have to go carb-free. We just need you to know that these snacks aren’t harmless. Make sure that you clean your mouth after eating, or follow the crackers up with some sugarless gum or water.

If you don’t have time to brush, you may want to opt for these snacks instead:

  • Carrot sticks
  • Apples
  • Nuts
  • Cheese

Bonus! These tooth-healthy snacks are good for your waistline too.

Just Remember To Brush

So… ready for that Thanksgiving feast full of starches? Awesome. Just remember to brush, even though there’s no candy on the plate.

Have a great holiday, and thanks for your trust in our practice!

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