When you were a little kid, your dentist probably told you to avoid candy and soda because they cause cavities. He or she was right – candy, soda, and similar treats induce dental problems. While we grow up thinking that staying away from candy and soda will prevent cavities, many people don’t realize that plenty of other foods contain “sneaky sugars” that can cause cavities. Some of these foods are even sneakier than usual because they’re considered healthy. Read on to learn about a few everyday foods that are sneaking sugar into your mouth and giving you cavities.
Granola Bars
Granola is healthy, right? Well, it depends. Made with whole grains, granola can be a good snack. However, most of us get a granola fix from bars. These are usually made with extra sugars to keep them from falling apart in their packaging. Several types of granola bars also sneak in chocolate chips, caramel, or butterscotch – all contributors to cavities. The Quaker brand is one of the worst offenders. If you need a granola bar’s quick energy, go for a plain and wholesome flavor. You can get plain granola and add it to yogurt for an extra boost of both energy and taste.
Fruits
Yes, you read that right. Certain fruits cause dental problems if eaten too much. In some cases, it’s because they’re naturally acidic. Lemons, limes, raspberries, and oranges are all wonderful fruits. However, their acidity wears down tooth enamel, and a lack of enamel makes your teeth vulnerable to cavities, dark spots, and other issues. Canned fruit is generally packed in sugar or juice, both of which are bad news for teeth. If you must eat berries or oranges, brush and floss as soon as possible afterward. Avoid fruit juice or fruit cocktails. Try frozen berries or grapes instead. Also, avoid raisins and dried fruit as much as you can – these are preserved with sugar.
The Starchy Stuff
This includes white bread, French fries, muffins, and other simple carbs. Be especially vigilant about these at breakfast time. Breakfast is the one meal of the day where vegetables and lean meats aren’t traditionally served, so people tend to compensate with gooey pastries or berry muffins. According to a pediatric dentist in Anchorage AK at Kids Dental Tree, these starches linger in the mouth, leading to tartar buildup. Go for sugarless cereal and skim milk instead.
Sticky Sauces
Marinara, barbecue sauce, Alfredo, and all their relatives do a great job spicing up our foods. The problem is that they don’t do our teeth as many favors. Sauces linger on the teeth and in the mouth long after the meal is done, so brush well after eating anything heavily sauced. Also, be aware that some sauce types are acidic or sugary. Make your own sauces if possible or look for low-fat varieties. For example, seek out an Alfredo sauce made with less cheese and more whole or skim milk.
As you can see, sugary desserts and treats aren’t the only contributors to cavities. Even if something doesn’t taste “sweet,” it can still contain a lot of sugar. Be more diligent about reading food labels, and try to make homemade snacks when possible. When you make something yourself, you know exactly what is in it. Don’t fall prey to the sneaky sugars that are hiding in these everyday foods—be aware of the sugary foods on our store shelves so you can strive to choose healthier alternatives and make informed decisions.
