I'm one of those people who typically eats a PowerBar (or similar product) as I'm heading out the door for a run. They are pretty sticky and chewy, so I'll wash it down with some water and go. I never thought about the impact that could be having on my teeth, or the fact that it could cause me an unexpected trip to the dentist. We all know that sugary foods like candy and soda pop lead to cavities. But dentists are finding that nutrition bars, which are often high in sugar and full of sticky ingredients, are just as bad for your pearly whites. When food stays in your mouth for a while, that gives the bacteria longer to feed on it. Bacteria produce acids which eat at tooth enamel and eventually cause tooth decay. Sounds lovely, doesn't it? If everyone brushed their teeth and flossed as soon as they finished eating, it wouldn't be a problem. But many people use nutrition bars on the go- as they head out for a workout (like I do), as a meal replacement during a busy day at work, or in the car as they shuffle kids between soccer practice and piano lessons. So if brushing your teeth after eating isn't an option, what else can you do? Rinsing with water after eating and chewing sugarless gum can help. The nutrition bar itself isn't "bad", but leaving food on the surface of the tooth is the problem. So gum and water can help move the food off of your teeth. Chewing gum also changes the pH of your mouth which makes it more difficult for acid to destroy the tooth enamel. Do you eat nutrition bars regularly? If so, do you brush and floss after? If not, have you noticed any more cavities than usual? |
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