When you eat a large amount of food in one sitting, like during a typical meal, your mouth produces a lot of saliva, which helps to wash away the food particles that decay your teeth, says Dr. Pankaj P. Singh, founder and CEO of Arch Dental Associates in New York City. When you snack on smaller meals you don't produce as much saliva, which means your teeth aren't getting naturally cleaned as well, says the doctor.
In addition to that, most people snack on carbohydrate-rich foods. Chips, crackers, and other carb-laden foods are especially bad for our teeth, as "fermentable carbohydrates work with bacteria to begin the decay process and eventually destroy teeth," says Singh. "All carbohydrates eventually break down into simple sugars: glucose, fructose, maltose, and lactose," he says. "And when they do, they are converted by the bacteria in your mouth into plaque -- the primary trigger of gum disease and cavities." The snack food on Dr Singh's don't-eat list that shocked us most? Bananas. Their "chewy, adhesive texture" makes it easier for them to get caught between teeth or under the gum line, where bacteria can accumulate.
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Quit your diet soda addiction
Most of us assume that if our soda is sugar-free, it isn't hurting our teeth. The docs say this is a wrong assumption. It's actually the acids in these drinks, such as citric and phosphoric, that are damaging your enamel, says Dr. Singh. "Consuming these highly acidic drinks on a regular basis means your teeth are under continual acid attack, a process that can lead to tooth erosion."
If you do give in and have a soda, Singh suggests sipping on water immediately after you indulge, which helps neutralize the acid.
Whether you dread going to the dentist or eagerly open wide every six months, here's some news that may shock you: You currently have a few habits that are ruining your smile.
And no, we aren't talking about the glaringly obvious no-nos, like smoking and drinking gallons of Franzia. No judgment, but you're on your own with those beauty-busting behaviors.
The bad-teeth habits we uncovered are far more shocking (as in, your favorite workout could be wrecking your dental health!). But the good news is once you know what these smile saboteurs are, you can take steps to keep your pearly whites in perfect condition.
And there's good reason to do just that: A new Harris Interactive survey found that nearly 90 percent of adults think a bright or white smile makes a good first impression, and more than half say they use your smile to judge your personality, stating it's the best indicator of someone�s friendliness.
So see if you're guilty of committing any of these bad-teeth crimes and try the simple fixes that will make over your smile immediately.
