For most people, it’s no secret that there are some foods that are really bad for teeth. Things like candy, soda, chocolate, and other foods heavy on sugar are known to lead to cavities, and are usually the top targets for removal from a diet by those trying to reduce the likelihood of tooth decay. But there are other foods, less commonly targeted but damaging nonetheless, that many people don’t think of as being harmful. Graduates of dental assistant training, though, will likely be more familiar with these stealthy villains.
Want a few examples? Here are some of the foods that students in dental assistant training know to avoid.
Students in Dental Assistant Courses May Know Lemon Water Can Erode Teeth
Because they know how bad soda and fruit juice are for teeth, many people have taken to drinking flavoured water. Water flavoured with lemons is a particular favourite, but is unfortunately a drink that can damage teeth. This is because lemons are quite acidic, and acid can wear down the enamel of teeth, which in turn makes teeth more likely to develop cavities.
After completing your dental assistant course, one of the responsibilities you can have is explaining proper dental hygiene to clients, and some of them may appreciate learning that some dietary choices they think are healthy might actually be harming them. If a cavity-prone future client drinks plenty of lemon water, consider letting them know that it might be better to avoid it and instead opt for a less acidic option like cucumber water.
Students in Dental Assistant Courses Know Sports Drinks Can Cause Cavities
Athletes often drink sports drinks, and athletes are often quite healthy, but that doesn’t mean sports drinks are healthy for teeth. High in sugar and salt, most sports drinks can promote the development of cavity-causing bacteria, which can lead to erosion and damage over time. Though sports drinks may offer some performance benefits to high-intensity athletes, evidence suggests that they are not necessary for most who engage in short, light, or no exercise at all, and anyone who drinks them will experience a heightened risk of tooth decay.
There are, however, many different sports drinks formulations out there, including a growing category of sugar-free beverages. Professionals working in dental care know that some of these new sugar-free options can be gentler on teeth. However, this will depend on which other ingredients are present in the beverage. Some sugar-free sports drinks contain other ingredients that make the beverage more acidic, and therefore continue to make it harmful for teeth.
Grads of Dental Assistant Courses May Know that White Bread Can Also Harm Teeth
A running theme with preventing tooth decay is the reduction in consumption of sugary foods, but it’s not always obvious which foods have an amount of sugar that can lead to tooth decay. White bread, for example, might not at first seem to be a harmful sugary food, but graduates of intra oral dental assistant training know that this first impression can be deceiving.
White bread is full of the simple sugars that harmful mouth bacteria love, and can quickly set them to producing damaging acid. Beyond that, its spongy texture means little bits of white bread can easily slip between teeth, where they can create greater harm until their removal.
Enrolling in a dental assistant training program will allow you to learn more about the different kinds of risk factors that can affect teeth, including dietary factors. Arm yourself with this information to learn more about the different, hidden dangers that lurk in many people’s diets, and be better prepared to assist others in achieving greater oral health.
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