What you need to know about foods that can damage your good teeth!

Summertime is nigh and many of us head to the movie theater for flicks, food, and fun! A lot of us don't feel the theater experience is complete without getting the traditional bucket of popcorn or candy. You don't have to be smart to know that these snacks are full of butter and sugar, and some of the candies you buy are hard and sticky. So it stands to reason that they can play a role in tooth damage and tooth decay! According to a panel of dental experts from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry here is a list of some of the snacks that can "punish" your teeth . Biting down on an un-popped popcorn kernel is a common cause of painful dental fractures. Popcorn husks can get lodged between your back teeth and gums which can require treatment with antibiotics to clear up infection after the husks are removed. . Sour hard candies (you know what they are) can also cause tooth damage as they are made with high amounts of citric and malic acids which can wear down tooth enamel. Caramels found in certain candies are really sticky and can remain "stuck" to teeth over a long period of time. Caramels can also pull crowns or fillings out! Meanwhile, some fruit and nut-based candies are also sticky and contain a lot of sugar - which can stick to teeth. The colored candy shell of certain candies can act as "teeth stainers". Who doesn't want their favorite soda while watching a movie? According to the AACD expert panel sodas are high in sugar and have a high acidity level which can wear down tooth enamel. It’s not surprising that AACD experts recommend bottled water or club soda or even opting for a small soda to reduce the damage. The news is not all bad. Dark chocolate contains certain elements which actually are strong antioxidants that benefit the mouth and teeth! Another movie theatre standard - cheese nachos - are considered a reasonable choice since the sugar content is not high and there is not much acidity in them. Many of you will continue to enjoy the foods you want to eat at the movies, despite this information. So the best advice is to rinse with a glass of water after you eat sweets to wash away excess sugar and acids, advises the AACD. And, of course bring dental floss. If you do incur damage to one or more teeth come see Dr. Idriss at The Smile Designer. She can replace those teeth with dental implants that will restore your smile to its natural state - or better. Dr. Idriss holds a mastership in dental implantology, recently bestowed on her by the International Congress of Oral Implantologists! Call for a free consultation: 281-257-8815. We look forward to seeing you!