Implants

Eating right is important for good oral health. The food you eat affects your teeth and gums, and overall health. Eating right can help prevent cavities and gum disease. On the other hand, certain foods can harm your oral health. Here are a few such foods.

• Candy

It’s hard to resist sugary candy, but before you indulge, remember that it’s one of the worst foods for oral health and can cause cavities, discoloration, and even gum disease. Sugary gum can also increase your risk for tooth decay by exposing your teeth to sugar constantly throughout the day. If you need something to satisfy that sweet tooth, try sugar-free gum.

• Soft Drinks

Sodas and sugary drinks are some of the worst foods for your oral hygiene because they’re loaded with sugar that feeds the bacteria that cause cavities. The acids in soft drinks also wear away at the enamel on your teeth, which results in tooth decay. Limit the amount of soda and sports drinks you have to help avoid tooth decay. If you do want the occasional soda or sports drink, use a straw to minimize your exposure to the sugar and acids in these beverages.

• Coffee and Tea

Caffeine and sugar are both highly acidic substances that can wear down the enamel of your teeth and cause tooth sensitivity. This can also lead to cavities. If you drink a lot of tea and coffee, you must brush or at least rinse your mouth with water afterward to remove any acids or sugars from lingering on your teeth.

The tannins in coffee and tea can also cause discoloration of the teeth over time. If you do enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea, be sure to drink it through a straw to limit the damage to your teeth. You can also brush your teeth immediately after drinking the beverage to remove these stains and avoid further problems.

• Wine

Your teeth will be especially vulnerable to staining from wine and other alcoholic beverages like brandy. Darker beverages are more likely to stain your teeth when consumed regularly or in large amounts. If you want to continue to enjoy these drinks without damaging your teeth, consider using a straw for drinking them instead of directly exposing your teeth to the liquid. Using a straw reduces contact between the alcohol and your teeth and can limit your chances of stains forming on your teeth. If you don’t like using a straw, rinse your mouth out with water or brush your teeth soon after drinking so that the alcohol doesn’t sit on your teeth for too long.

• Sports Drinks

Many sports drinks are loaded with sugar and acidic substances that can harm your teeth. Even sugar-free varieties are harmful to tooth enamel. This is because these drinks are high in acidity and cause erosion. Erosion can wear down the tooth’s protective surface. Enamel can dissolve away and leave teeth prone to decay. If you do have to drink a sports drink, drink it quickly and rinse with water afterward. This will limit the amount of acid in your mouth to protect your tooth enamel.

A good alternative is a water. Water is a natural substance that is better for your body than sugary or acidic beverages. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help keep your mouth clean and prevent dry mouth. This can help fight cavities because it will wash away bacteria and debris from the mouth. Water is also great for your overall health. It aids in digestion and helps keep you hydrated.

• Citrus Fruits and Juices

While citrus fruits are not bad for your oral health in general, acidic foods and drinks should be consumed in moderation to prevent enamel erosion. If you enjoy citrus-flavored drinks, be sure to use a straw when drinking them to keep acid away from your pearly whites.

If your diet is filled with these types of sugary snacks and beverages throughout the day, consider using mouthwash after meals or when you have eaten an unhealthy snack to neutralize the acids in your mouth and rinse them away.

• Dried Fruit

Dried fruit is one of the worst foods for oral health. It is sticky and chewy, which can quickly get stuck between teeth or get stuck in the crevices of tooth enamel, promoting tooth decay. Plus, many of the types of dried fruit are high in sugar content and can lead to cavities and gum disease. If you do enjoy dried apricots, figs, dates and other fruits, make sure to rinse your mouth with water after eating to wash away any lingering sugar and acid.

• Ice

Although not as harmful as other sugary foods and drinks, ice can still cause problems for your teeth and gums. When chewing on hard substances such as ice, it can wear away tooth enamel, making teeth more sensitive and vulnerable to decay. 

To find out more about the dental services offered at Doubletake Dental, call (801) 225-1002 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 163 N 400 W St A1, Orem, UT, 84057.