From The Straits Times    |

how to prevent tooth decay CNY foods bad for teeth

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Indulging in mountains of goodies each Chinese New Year is inevitable for those of us who celebrate, and we all know how tough they can be to resist. We’re not telling you to hold back (unless you want to), but instead divulging some expert advice on how you can keep your teeth healthy and prevent tooth decay while you indulge. 

We know sugary snacks are terrible for our teeth, but what about oranges? Different textures and types of desserts also affect our teeth differently. To help, Dr Steven Soo, Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics at Specialist Dental Group has broken things down into five different categories of food and drinks we commonly consume each Lunar New Year, to explain what it is about each group that puts us at risk of tooth decay and how we can easily counter these risks while we feast. 

#1 With sticky treats like pineapple tarts and nian gao
We all know sticky foods get trapped between our teeth and in the biting surfaces of our teeth more easily. While saliva is meant to break down the foods trapped in our teeth, the sticky foods are harder to break down and will take more time, ultimately contributing to tooth decay.

What to do: Rinse your mouth with water after eating these tarts and cakes, and make sure you brush your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste. Flossing is equally important to ensure any remnants are gone from between your teeth.

#2 For sugary goodies like cookies, cakes and chocolates
What happens when we eat sugary foods is that the bad bacteria in our mouth feeds on the sugars, creating acids that attack our tooth enamel. Over time this causes decay and holes in our teeth.

What to do: Opt for healthier options with lower sugar content where possible, like dark chocolate instead of milk. Research has also shown that dark chocolate also contains theobromine which is effective in fighting tooth decay. Avoid sucking on sweets for extended periods of time as our teeth end up exposed to the sugars for a longer duration.

#3 When eating crunchy or solid chips, nuts and seeds
Biting down on hard foods can weaken tooth enamel in the long run, resulting in tooth pains and possible cracks. If you’ve got dental fillings, there is also a risk of them falling out.

What to do: Be extra cautious when biting down on hard snacks, and where possible, use your hands or other tools to crack open any nuts with shells.

#4 For acidic fruits or soft drinks
The focal fruit during Chinese New Year – oranges – is acidic in nature, which is not great for teeth. Carbonated drinks, in addition to acidic fruits, can expose our teeth to continual acid attack, resulting in enamel erosion.

What to do: Consume these acidic food and drinks during meal times so saliva produced when eating other foods can help protect your teeth, and wait at least 45 minutes before brushing your teeth to avoid damaging them when they are at their weakest. 

#5 When drinking beverages that contain alcohol
Alcohol is dehydrating, reducing the saliva flow for people who drink excessively. Saliva is important in fighting bacteria in your mouth, which means less saliva often gives rise to oral problems like tooth decay and gum disease.

What to do: Swish water around your mouth between sips of your alcoholic drink to allow the water and bubbles to clean your teeth. Consume these drinks during meals as food encourages saliva production.

 

When it comes to your teeth, prevention is always better than cure. Specialist Dentist Group recommends visiting your dentist for a check-up to take care of any dental issues before the festivities to prevent unwanted and unpleasant surprises during Chinese New Year.