Cookout Season and Dental Health

Backyard
barbecues are a beloved tradition of summer. We wait out months of cold weather
for the chance to cook outside and enjoy the company of friends and family.
Unfortunately, many of the foods and drinks associated with cookout season
aren’t exactly healthy for the teeth. You don’t have to avoid them entirely,
but it’s best to

Foods
That Can Stain the Teeth

Who doesn’t
love barbecued ribs or a hamburger at a backyard get-together? Even those who
don’t barbecue their hot dogs and hamburgers probably put ketchup on them.
These condiments, along with foods and drinks such as berries and wine, can
cause permanent staining of your teeth if you consume them often enough. In
fact, it takes only 30 seconds for the pigmented portion of your condiment or
beverage to reach the enamel of your teeth. The best thing you can do to avoid
staining is to brush after meals.

Acidic
Foods to Limit or Avoid

Dill pickles
and hamburgers seem to go together in perfect partnership. What you might not
realize is that dill pickles are extremely acidic and can damage your tooth
enamel. Other foods that fall into this category include tomatoes and salad
dressing. Pickles contain a lot of vinegar, which is highly acidic, while the
other foods are naturally acidic. If you eat a lot of these foods, consider
drinking water as your beverage and brushing your teeth with a toothpaste that
contains ingredients to strengthen enamel. However, you don’t want to brush
immediately as this might spread the bacteria and acid around in your
mouth.

Use
a Straw to Reduce Teeth Staining

Drinking
certain beverages through a straw helps to reduce the likelihood of staining because the liquid has less contact with your teeth. Some of these
drinks include champagne, coffee, juice, and wine. The benefit of using a straw
is that it keeps acid off your teeth that can eventually cause erosion.

Considering
a Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure?

If you
already have stained teeth or feel dissatisfied with another aspect of your
teeth or smile, ask your dentist about our
such as teeth whitening. Feel free to contact us to
schedule a consultation to learn more.