The document tests the reader's knowledge on foods that can damage teeth and ruin an "A-List Smile" by having the reader select foods from a list that are culprits. Many foods high in sugar or carbohydrates are problematic as they quickly convert to cavity-causing acids in the mouth. To maintain an "A-List Smile", the document recommends eating these foods in moderation and avoiding them as daily habits, as this can lead to tooth decay over time. It also provides tips like limiting juice and choosing whole fruits instead to reduce sugar intake, and eating a nutritious diet with vitamins and minerals to support strong, healthy teeth.

1. Test Your Knowledge on
Foods That Can Ruin an!
A-List Smile
Dr. Catrise Austin

2. Test Your Knowledge on Foods That
Can Ruin an A-List Smile
§
Keeping an A-List Smile can be simple if you make the right food choices. Let’s test
your knowledge on foods that can ruin your smile.
§
Check the option below that can put your smile on the D-list:
_____ Processed cereals: cereals like Frosted Flakes and Fruit Loops as well as “plain”
cereals such as Wheaties, Cheerios, etc.
_____ Cake
_____ Candy
_____ Chocolate drinks, chocolate milk, cocoa _____ Condensed milk
_____ Cookies
_____ Canned fruit (with syrup)
_____ Dried fruit (including raisins) _____ Graham crackers
_____ Gum
_____ Ice cream

3. Test Your Knowledge on Foods That
Can Ruin an A-List Smile
_____ Fruit juices (that aren’t 100% juice) _____ Imitation fruit juices
(including Hi-C) _____ Jelly, jam
_____ Macaroni
_____ Marshmallows _____ Pastries
_____ Pie
_____ Soda
_____ Sweet toppings, sauces, syrups, icings
_____ White bread (including hot dog and hamburger buns) _____ Caramel
corn
_____ Crackers such as Ritz, Bacon Thins, Twigs, etc.
_____ Doughnuts
_____ Honey

4. Test Your Knowledge on Foods That
Can Ruin an A-List Smile
_____ Jell-O and gelatin
_____ Kool-Aid
_____ Malted milk
_____ Milk shakes
_____ Molasses
_____ Peanut butter (Jif, Skippy, et al.) _____ Processed cheeses
_____ Puddings
_____ Tang
_____ Waffles, pancakes

5. Test Your Knowledge on Foods That
Can Ruin an A-List Smile
§ How do you think you did? If you checked all of the above and only
consume these foods and beverages in moderation, then you’re on the
road to keeping a healthy, A-List Smile.
§ Many foods and beverages that may seem harmless often times are high
in sugar or carbohydrates that quickly convert to cavity forming acids in
the mouth. Get in the habit of reading nutritional labels to help you make
the best choices to help you have an “A-List” smile.
§ In general, avoid the usual suspects like candy, sugar, sodas and other
sweet treats. A rare indulgence now and then shouldn’t send you running
into the arms of your dental professional, but bad habits lead to bad
teeth, so keep those indulgences to a bare minimum.

6. Test Your Knowledge on Foods That
Can Ruin an A-List Smile
§ In addition to these basic guidelines, here are a few specific
suggestions on how proper nutrition can benefit your new A-List
Smile:
§ Avoid starchy or “sticky” foods: You know what the bacteria on your
teeth and tongue and in your mouth feed on? Carbohydrates. So the
fewer carbs you eat, the less “food” your bacteria get to thrive on. By
no means am I telling you to limit or restrict carbohydrates from your
daily diet; they are a vital tool for providing your body with the energy
and resources it needs daily. However, eating carbohydrates to excess –
starchy, “sticky” foods like bread, cakes, cookies, brownies and pies –
can put your mouth at risk.

7. Test Your Knowledge on Foods That
Can Ruin an A-List Smile
§ Eat first, drink second: We are a nation that thrives on convenience,
but did you know that fruit juice is mostly sugar? In fact, it takes eight
whole apples to equal the sugar content in one glass of apple juice. So
while drinking juice may be convenient, eating a piece of fruit rather
than drinking a glass of fruit juice can not only reduce the amount of
sugar you ingest – which as we all know is bad for your teeth – but can
help make you feel fuller at the same time.

8. Test Your Knowledge on Foods That
Can Ruin an A-List Smile
§ Get your vitamins: Your teeth can decay when there are not enough
vitamins, nutrients and minerals consumed for proper dental care.
Eating properly doesn’t just help keep your mouth clean and free of
bacteria; it also helps make your teeth stronger. For instance, VitaminC can contribute to stronger, healthier teeth, as can calcium. So make
sure you eat properly and take a quality vitamin supplement to ensure
you’re getting enough of what your body needs every single day.

9. Call Today for a Consultation!
Dr. Catrise Austin
119 W. 57th Street, Suite 512
New York, New York 10019
Phone (212) 262-6054
Website: http://NYCCGD.com
As a New York Cosmetic Dentist (10019), we offer a variety of dental
services including but not limited to:
Cosmetic Dentistry :: Dental Crowns :: Dental Health :: Dental Implants :: Family
Dentistry :: General Dentistry :: Porcelain Veneers :: Composite Veneers :: Restorative
Dentistry :: Braces :: Smile Makeover :: Teeth Whitening :: Sedation Dentistry.
As a New York Cosmetic Dentist (10019), we serve the following areas:
We serve patients all over the world as well as those in the following areas:
Manhattan, NY :: Harlem, NY :: MidTown, NY :: New York, NY :: Time Square ::
Upper West Side :: Upper East Side.