Can too much citrus be a bad thing?
Citrus fruits include oranges, grapefruit, pineapples, lemons and tangerines. There is no denying the fact that these fruits do offer an important abundance of Vitamin C. We need Vitamin C for healthy gums, as it is critical for maintaining its collagen. People with a Vitamin C deficiency often suffer from bleeding gums, which can lead to unstable teeth. Eating raw fruits, including citrus fruits, can also be helpful in saliva-production and cleansing your mouth.
We like to encourage our patients to include Vitamin C in their daily diet but don’t over do it. Yes, too much citrus can be a bad thing and wreak havoc on your gums and teeth. Consuming citrus too often and not brushing and rinsing out your mouth after can cause serious irritation and erode your tooth enamel.
The problem with citrus is its highly acidic properties, combined with significant sugar content. The acid from citrus fruits can coat your teeth and start to soften and erode your tooth enamel. Since enamel doesn’t grow back, you’ll find that your smile is now exposed to tooth decay and compromised to other dental health complications.
Read about Laurie’s story with citrus:
I never thought craving pineapple and eating tubs of it daily, along with 3-5 tangerines would ever cause my mouth to be on fire.. but it did.
Recently I found out I was expecting. I had a very mild first trimester and my cravings were anything citrus. For weeks I had as much as I could.. then the gums started to flare up. Ulcers along with bleeding gums.. could it be because of all of the pineapple and oranges?
And so it was.
So those warning signs in Hawaii about eating too much pineapple.. take it seriously. Everything in moderation and don’t forget to rinse and floss!
If it is time for your regular cleaning and exam, please reach out and we will be more than happy to schedule you an appointment with your provider.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. It’s a great reminder for parents and kids alike of the importance of pediatric dental care. It may surprise you to learn that tooth decay is the most common childhood chronic disease in the country. In fact, more than half of kids between six and eight years old have had a cavity in their primary, or baby, teeth. While a little cavity might not sound like a big deal, poor dental health is actually linked to higher rates of missed days and lower performance at school. Healthy teeth matter more than you might think!
Read MoreIf you have a vague sense of dread when you hear the term “root canal,” you’re not alone. Let’s face it, getting a root canal is not quite as enjoyable as a normal hygiene appointment. But the process is not as scary as it sounds. More often than not, root canals reduce, rather than cause, pain. So what exactly is a root canal and why might your dentist recommend one? We’ll answer that and other questions we receive about this common dental treatment.
Read MoreThird molars, or so-called wisdom teeth, often get a bad rap. That’s probably because people talk about them mostly in the context of people getting them removed. For many patients, wisdom tooth extraction is the only surgical dental procedure they have ever experienced. But wisdom teeth themselves aren’t necessarily bad. In fact for some patients, they’re just like other teeth. So what’s the big deal with wisdom teeth anyway? And, why do so many people have them extracted? Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions we hear about this infamous set of teeth.
Read MoreWhether you’re new to the Williamsburg area, or new to the Norge Dental family… we welcome you to a new dental experience. We are so thankful you are here.
call (757) 564-0804
