Do Raisins Cause Cavities?

As we say good-bye to another holiday season filled with rich meals and goodies, and get back to eating more regularly, it’s a good time to consider the foods that are good and bad for our teeth. One of the most heavily contested of these foods is raisins, a staple snack for many children

In the past, it was fairly simple to categorize the types of foods that would be most likely to promote cavities – those that are especially sticky, and those rich in sugar. Raisins hit both of these classifications, and as such were considered to be cavity culprits.

However, Dr. Christine Wu led a study at the University Of Illinois College Of Dentistry in an attempt to better understand exactly how raisins affected oral health. In an article on Registered Dental Hygienist, Stacey Bell acknowledges that in Wu’s study “Even though raisins contained the highest sugar content of all foods tested (68% sugar), they were less acidogenic than bran cereal with raisins and added sugar. When raisins were added to bran, the acidity was lower than bran flakes alone, suggesting that raisins help enhance clearance of chewed bran particles from the teeth.”

Despite their bad reputation, Bell points out that raisins are a food that rank relatively low on the cariogenic (cavity causing) spectrum, and one that in many studies are known to combat plaque-causing bacteria buildup on the surface of teeth. Additionally, one of the worst things to be done after eating sugar-heavy foods involves letting the remnants linger on the teeth.

So, when it comes to transitioning back to your year-round diet, you might want to take a look at the hidden benefits of one of nature’s sweeter snacks. With Children’s Dental Awareness Month just around the corner, it’s important we impart these great habits early on.

Effects of Sugary Soda on Teeth

Have you ever stopped to study the label of a soda bottle to find out how much sugar the product contains? In reality, most people don’t. The scary thing is that sugar is not only contributing to cavities; according to a 2009 medical study the consumption of sugary sweetened soda may be the single largest driver of the obesity epidemic.

Artistic Dental's objective is to educate our patients so that they have the knowledge to make better choices that positively impacts their oral and overall health.
Cavities are caused by plaque; a sticky substance on the teeth that is formed from bacteria in the mouth. When you eat or drink sugary products plaque turns the sugar into acids that erode the teeth’s enamel, and overtime this can lead to cavities.

If you can’t live without your soda fix, remember moderation is key.

These 5 tips will aid in fighting tooth decay and erosion:

1. Drink through a straw to reduce the exposure of sugar and acid to the teeth. 
2. Drink plenty of fluoridated water after consuming a sugary beverage. This will rinse out the mouth and dilute the sugars. 
3. Brush using fluoride toothpaste, but wait at least an hour after drinking a soft drink to allow the enamel of the teeth to harden again. 
4. Don’t sip soda over a long period of time. This exposes the teeth to sugar and acid attacks for longer. The average acid attack on the teeth can last up to twenty minutes. 
5. Avoid drinking sugary beverages before bedtime as the liquid swims in the mouth coating the teeth with acid and sugar.  

There are many alternatives out there to curb your soda cravings that are carbonated and cola flavored. Remember to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice daily, and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups to decrease the risks of decay.