Page 6 - The Wayne Dispatch

plaque bacteria use that sugar to
HALLOWEEN, Continued from page 4
produce acids that attack your
quent drinks of coffee and tea may enamel, the hard surface of your
also stain your teeth. If you do con- tooth. Most carbonated soft drinks,
sume, make sure to drink plenty of including diet soda, are acidic and
water and try to keep the add-ons to therefore, bad for your teeth. Caf-
a minimum. feinated beverages, such as colas can
Sticky foods are your mouth's also dry out your mouth. If you do
worst nightmare: When it comes to consume soft drinks, try to drink
picking healthy snacks, many people alongside a cup of water.
put dried fruit at the top of the list. Limit alcohol consumption: Alco-
But many dried fruits are sticky. hol causes dehydration and dry
Sticky foods can damage your teeth mouth. People who drink excessively
since they tend to stay on the teeth may find their saliva flow is reduced
longer than other types of food. If over time, which can lead to tooth
you find yourself eating dried fruits decay and other oral infections such
or trail mix often, make sure to rinse as gum disease. Heavy alcohol use
with water after and to brush and also increases your risk for mouth
floss carefully. cancer.
Beware of things that go "crunch": Watch out for sports drinks: They
Who doesn’t love the nice, satisfying sound healthy, but sugar is a top in-
crunch of a potato chip? Unfortu- gredient for many sports and energy
nately potato chips are filled with drinks. The American Academy of
starch, which tends to get trapped in Pediatrics says sports drinks can be
your teeth. If you choose to indulge helpful for young athletes engaged in
in snacks like these, take extra care prolonged, vigorous physical activi-
when you floss that day to remove all ties, but unnecessary in most cases.
the food particles that can lead to Before your next sip, check the label
plaque build-up. to make sure your drink of choice is
Swap out soda with water: When low in sugar or drink water.
you eat sugary foods or sip sugary
drinks for long periods of time, Courtesy of ADA

6 · October 2019 · The Wayne Dispatch