Top 10 Festive Season Dishes Your Dentist Hates
Which are your faves?
Summer has arrived and so has the festive season! This is a time to relax, enjoy good company and great food and drink…. There are a few menu items however that your dentist probably would prefer you to avoid.
Which are your faves?
Summer has arrived and so has the festive season! This is a time to relax, enjoy good company and great food and drink…. There are a few menu items however that your dentist probably would prefer you to avoid.
1. Icey Drinks
We all love a cold drink to get some relief from the heat. But when you get to the bottom of that cocktail, resist the urge to start chomping on the ice. Chewing on a hard substance can damage enamel and you risk dental emergencies such as chipped, cracked, or broken teeth.
2. Mixed nuts
Yummmm… delicious, salty nuts! Who can say no to a little old pistachio? Unless you want a cracked tooth, you should always say no to cracking them open with your teeth!
3. Potato chips
The crunch of a potato chip is so satisfying. But with the good comes the bad… They’re loaded with starch, which becomes sugar that can get trapped in and between the teeth and become food for the bacteria in plaque. Since it’s impossible to stop at one, there’s more acid production from the chips which sticks around for a while. After you’ve finished a bowl, just remember to floss and remove the little bits between your teeth.
4. Bread
It’s harmless, right? Wrong! When you chew bread, your saliva turns starches into sugar transforming it into a paste-like substance, causing it to stick to the crevices between your teeth, causing cavities. Search for alternative carbs, preferably whole wheat as they contain less added sugars and aren’t as easily broken down.
5. Candy
One candy in particular, will make your dentist extra sour… sour candy contains acids that are tougher on your teeth. The way they can cling to teeth means they’re also more likely to cause decay. Try chocolate instead of you need something sweet.
6. Sticky and Delicious
Dried fruits often make an appearance on the cheese board, but many dried fruits are sticky. Sticky foods can damage your teeth since they tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating dried fruits or trail mix often, make sure to rinse with water after.
7. Tomato-based sauces
Tomatoes are packed full of many important nutrients and while their beautiful red colouring makes a dish vibrant, the pigment responsible for their deep red colour makes them a major offender for staining.
8. Balsamic vinegar
It may make a tasty salad dressing, but the deep pigmentation in balsamic vinegar means you need to watch out for its effects on your teeth.
9. Coffee and Tea
Many like to indulge in an after-dinner coffee or tea. Perhaps it’s not even your first of the day? Too much of these beverage favourites can stain your teeth. At least there are many teeth whitening options out there!
10. Toothpicks
After feasting on delicious roast meats, you’re likely to have leftovers lodged between your teeth. You should avoid toothpicks as they can damage the gums and if used frequently, can damage the enamel and wear away the roots of the teeth. They can also break and get stuck under your gums, which can be very painful. Reach for the dental floss or toothbrush instead!
Prefer to ignore this list entirely and enjoy yourself? That’s fine…. Just visit Emergency Dentist Sydney for a smile makeover… we’re here for you at any time of the day or night!
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Sudden Tooth Pain: The Complete List of Causes & Treatments
Brain Freeze! We are all prone to occasional aches and pains that any kind of tooth pain can be particularly bothersome...
Diagnosing What's Causing It.. And Making it Stop!
Brain Freeze! We are all prone to occasional aches and pains, but it's fair to say, we think, that any kind of tooth pain can be particularly bothersome (to say the least.) Like a headache that just won't go away, tooth pain can be truly miserable and the problem's only made worse by the fact that much of the time you can't even be sure why you are in pain or how to begin treat it.
There are, in fact, all kinds of reasons that a tooth (or teeth) may start giving you gip, but these are the ones most commonly seen at Emergency Dentist Sydney:
Pain after Eating or Drinking Very Cold - of Very Hot - Foods
This can be the kind of sharp pain that really knocks you for six, if only for a minute or so. But it keeps happening and all the joy of eating an ice cream or downing a morning cup of Joe is fading fast.
The problem here is often is what the toothpaste ads often refer to as 'sensitive teeth'. There can be all kinds of causes; a slightly exposed nerve, a forming cavity, weakened tooth enamel or gum damage of some kind. In the short term try switching to a softer toothbrush and trying one of the toothpastes made to help 'desensitise' teeth. If the problem is a long term one however make a not to book a dentist's appointment to discuss a better solution.
Pain When Eating or Drinking Hot and Cold Foods After Dental Work
This particular issue is not unusual, especially if you have had a root canal or a filling recently. It's a temporary sensitivity that should disappear in a few days as things begin to heal up properly. In the meantime aspirin can help and following the dentist's post treatment care instructions is a must. However, if the pain persists for longer than expected, or gets worse rather than improving, you should contact your dentist right away.
Pain When Biting on Food
Eating regular, everyday foods should never be painful. And when and if it is, the chances are good that there is a problem that needs to be addressed and probably as soon as possible. The issue may be a cracked tooth, a loose filling, a cavity or, well, it could be a number of things. In this situation make a dentist's appointment as soon as possible so that the cause of the pain can be diagnosed and treated quickly, before any further damage occurs.
Aching Pressure on Upper Teeth/Sinus Area
This one is hard to even begin to self-diagnose as pain from infected sinuses can feel like terrible upper back tooth pain and vice versa. This is because there are a bunch of shared nerves back there, so really only a doctor's visit or a trip to the dentist can determine the true cause. Whatever you do though, wherever you go first, don't wait, because this is a horrible, nagging pain that very rarely goes away on its own.
Swollen, Painful, Inflamed Gums
Gum disease is all too common and if it's not addressed early then 'simple' gingivitis can progress into periodontitis, a condition in which the gums and even the bone that holds the teeth in place can be severely weakened. Often painful, swollen gums are a sign of infection, something that needs to be treated as soon as possible, not only to potentially save a tooth or two but to prevent the spread of infection through the rest of your body.
The #EmergencyDentist Says:
'Oh it's only a toothache'. Not. Tooth pain sucks. Pure and simple. It sucks even more if it strikes outside of 'business hours'. But you don't have to wait it out like a trooper just to try and be big and brave. The Emergency Dentist Sydney can help you anytime time any day when you need us.
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