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When you hear cavities, what things do you think of as the cause? Soda pop, gooey candies, and chocolates, right? Well, you aren’t wrong. However, there are a lot of other things that surprisingly can cause cavities that you probably wouldn’t have guessed. Here are five things you probably didn’t know could cause cavities.
Vegetable Juicing – Some people call it a “salad in a glass.” To be sure, adding kale, celery, and spinach to your juices provides a boost of vitamins and minerals and are great for healthy diets on the go. Plus, juicing can be a yummy and enticing way to get even the most finicky eaters to eat their veggies. Now the downside: did you know juicing can cause cavities? That’s because most people who juice add a good bit of fruit to balance out the taste. And while most vegetables in the juice are packed with vitamins and minerals, it’s usually the fruit juices that can be detrimental to your teeth and lead to tooth decay and cavities.
Dipping Sauces – Can you imagine eating chicken nuggets or wings without dipping sauce? It’s unthinkable! But did you know that rich, savory sauces are loaded with sugar and sticky ingredients? Sugar plays a huge role in tooth decay and sticky ingredients lock the sauce in between your teeth and in hard to clean spaces.
Dried Fruit – Raisins, dates, and figs are a perfect alternative to gummy bears and jelly beans, right? Not so fast! Sure, dried fruit is a great snack because they’re tasty and healthy. However, dried fruit is really sticky and pieces can get stuck around and in between your teeth. If you eat dried fruit on a regular basis, be conscientious that healthy for your body isn’t always healthy for your teeth!
Medications – Sinus and allergy medications are great for treating the sniffles, but they can cause dry mouth. And a dry mouth is the perfect home for cavities! That’s because dry mouths are void of saliva, which is nature’s natural mouth wash, flushing residue and bacteria left in our mouths. Be sure to understand what side effects your medications will have before taking them – that includes side effects to your oral health.
Getting Older – You never outgrow getting cavities, so don’t assume that your teeth are good to go because you left sweets behind a year ago. In fact, with aging comes gum disease, dental decay, and tooth loss. Just like the rest of your body, your teeth will experience wear and tear throughout life. Although it’s difficult to avoid all of these problems throughout your entire life, there is a lot you can do to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Make sure to eat a healthy diet, have a good dental care routine in place, and visit your dentist regularly to catch any potential issues as soon as possible.
If you are suffering from tooth decay or are searching for a quality dental team to help you with your oral care needs, Dr. Binder of 360 Dental is happy to help! Call (541) 689-1645 today to make an appointment.
