Snack bars can give you cavities
It has been revealed today that nutritional snack bars could rot your teeth in the same way as fizzy drinks and sugary sweets.
MSNBC reported that most people have been surprised to find out that their delicious snack bars, which are packed with of nutritious ingredients like nuts, oats, raisins and fruit, and are marketed as an alternative to unhealthy snacks such as crisps and chocolate bars, can be just as bad for their teeth.
Dr. Richard Price, of the American Dental Association, suggests that because these snacks are sticky they can cause unhealthy teeth. Sticky foods stay in the mouth for longer which gives bacteria more time to harm teeth.
Decay occurs when foods containing starches and sugars are regularly left on the teeth. Bacteria thrive on these foods which produce acids and can eventually destroy enamel.
Regular brushing and flossing can usually combat this issue but when we combine these high-carb energy bars with fizzy drinks the risk to our teeth is increased.
Athletes often worst affected by mixing acidic or citric drinks with energy bars as they consume high amounts of these foods to boost their calorie intake.
Professional triathlete, Courtenay Brown, 30, said she had change her training diet after her dentist told her it was creating the an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive in her mouth.
Brown’s dentist suggested she drink water while eating energy bars as it would help wash away some of the harmful acids.
Chewing sugarless gum after eating energy bars can also help produce more saliva which breaks down harmful substances left in the mouth.
Experts recommend that people brush up on what foods are harmful for their teeth so they can avoid them. However, it is a combination of regularly cleaning the teeth, chewing gum and drinking water with high-carb snacks that will keep your smile healthy.
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