Avoid a Dental Emergency by Staying Away from These Foods

Businesses of all kinds are closing, millions of people have lost their jobs, and more and more people are getting deathly sick every day. With all the stress that the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing into your life, the last thing you want to deal with is a dental emergency like a broken tooth or a sudden raging toothache. Although your dentist is likely still open for emergency situations, you don’t need that extra panic on top of everything else going on at the moment. In order to avoid dental emergencies, here are some foods you should stay away from, as well as some healthier alternatives.

Foods to Avoid

Here are a few foods to stay away from in order to prevent a dental emergency:

• Popcorn. This yummy, buttery snack can do more harm than good when it comes to your oral health. The husks can get trapped in between your teeth, attracting bacteria that may cause an infection. Not only that, but you could fracture your teeth by biting down too hard on the kernels.
• Hard candies. Items like lollipops and butterscotches literally bathe your teeth in sugar as you suck on them, increasing your risk of developing cavities that turn into monster toothaches. Additionally, you might accidentally bite down on these candies and chip or crack your enamel.
• Sticky candies. Gummies, caramel, and taffy are all bad news when it comes to your dental health. Besides subjecting your teeth to a sugar storm, sticky candy wedges itself in the crevices of your teeth and can be hard to clean out. It could also attach itself to dental work like a filling, crown, or bridge and yank it out.

Eat These Foods Instead

To keep your teeth and gums healthy and emergency-free, stick to the following foods:

• Yogurt. Dairy products like yogurt, as well as cheese and milk, are chock full of calcium and phosphates, both of which strengthen your bones and teeth, making you less susceptible to tooth decay.
• Dark leafy greens. Kale and spinach are great examples of this. They also contain calcium, as well as vitamin C, which fights off gum inflammation.
• Fresh fruits. Produce might be hard to come by during this pandemic since you shouldn’t go to the store too often. But when you can, purchase some fruits like apples. The fibrous, crunchy skin naturally cleans your teeth as you chew it.

By adhering to a mouth-healthy diet, you can prevent a dental emergency from exacerbating the already high stress of the COVID-19 situation. It will also keep your teeth healthy until your dentist reopens their practice for checkups and teeth cleanings. Lastly, foods like yogurt and produce will benefit your overall well-being, not just your oral health.

About the Author

Dr. Matt VanderMolen has been a dentist in Springfield, IL for more than 30 years. Due to his dedication to continuing education, he has earned a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry. He is also a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, which recognizes leaders in dentistry. His practice, Advanced Dental Care of Springfield, is currently only treating patients with dental emergencies. If you think you may have one, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. VanderMolen at (217) 546-3333.