Khaberni - People usually associate tooth decay with sweets and sodas, but dental specialists have revealed that a popular snack for both children and adults causes decay just as much, and perhaps more in some cases, which is the "Cheese Crunchies" snack.
Famous New York cosmetic dentist Katrice Austin explained that the reason is not the cheese flavor, but the refined carbohydrates in these crunchies, which turn into simple sugars during chewing. These are then fed on by the bacteria in the mouth, producing acid that dissolves tooth enamel.
In turn, dental specialist Fatima Khan, founder of Riven Oral Care, said that the stickiness of these crunchies to the teeth doubles the chances of decay-causing bacteria growing.
Dentist Herin Bhat pointed out that the salt in some of these crunchies reduces saliva secretion, which is a natural factor that remineralizes teeth and balances the acidity of the mouth. He noted that reduced saliva increases the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
But there is no need for complete deprivation, as there are ways to safely enjoy crunchies. Khan and Austin advised eating them only during meals instead of snacking all day, drinking water to compensate for the loss of saliva, and waiting 30 minutes before cleaning teeth after eating crunchies to avoid removing the recently softened enamel.
Specialist Khan also recommended replacing some of the crunchies with natural cheese rich in calcium and phosphorus that strengthens enamel, or with raw vegetables and nuts as crunchy and safe snacks for the teeth.
