Worst Foods For Oral Health

The foods you eat affect your oral health. Eating right can protect your teeth from decay and gum disease. It can also boost your dental health by strengthening your teeth. Listed below are the worst foods for oral health.

Candies and other sugary treats are one of the worst things you can put in your mouth if you want healthy teeth and gums. Bacteria feed on the sugar in these foods, which then causes plaque to form on your teeth and starts the tooth decay process over again. Plaque is also caused by sugars that naturally occur within your mouth. These natural-occurring sugars are broken down by bacteria into acids which eat away at the enamel of your teeth and cause cavities to form. There are many different types of candies that are bad for your oral health, but here are some of the worse ones:

• Chewing Gum– Chewing gum has a lot of sugar in it, and chewing too much can cause your jaw to grow tired from overuse. The sugar and acid content can also make you more prone to getting cavities.
• Hard Candy– Hard candy is delicious, but it can quickly wear down your teeth’s enamel with the concentrated amount of sugar that it contains. This damage can lead to even larger problems down the road with tooth decay and gum disease.
• Sour Candy– Similar to hard candy, sour candy also contains a large amount of sugar which can eat away at your enamel and lead to more serious oral health issues. In addition, acidic foods like sour candy can lead to enamel erosion.

Soft Drinks

Sodas and soft drinks are bad for oral health because they contain a lot of acid and sugar, which causes tooth decay and erosion. The phosphoric acid found in soda breaks down tooth structure and can cause severe decay over a short period of time. Additionally, the citric acid in soda weakens the tooth enamel and makes the teeth more vulnerable to cavities. 

Drinking soda on a regular basis can lead to poor overall dental health as well as obesity, which is linked to an increased risk of oral disease. On top of that, drinking too many carbonated beverages can wear down tooth enamel leading to discoloration of the teeth. If you want to enjoy a refreshing beverage, try adding a splash of lemon or lime juice to your water. This drink contains natural acids that can help to keep your teeth healthy and strong.

Coffee and Tea

Drinking coffee and tea can be very healthy for your body – in moderation! However, many of your favorite coffee shops and restaurants serve double-whammy drinks that are high in sugar and acid. The combination can wear down your enamel and cause cavities. If you must have coffee or tea, make sure you drink it only in moderation.

Wine

Wine is worse than soda for your teeth because it contains alcohol, which can dry out the tissues in your mouth and lead to more plaque accumulation. Plus, the wine itself is a sugary drink, so it’s also bad for your oral health. A glass of wine every day can add up to significant damage to your mouth. It’s best to avoid wine altogether or limit yourself to one glass per day.

Sports Drinks

They’re marketed as healthy alternatives that replenish electrolytes after exercising, but sports drinks contain sugar and acids that are both detrimental to oral health. Acidic food and drinks wear away at the enamel on your teeth, leading to cavities. Sugary soft drinks also promote tooth decay by feeding the bacteria that cause plaque buildup and gum disease. Water is always the best choice for your oral health. It hydrates your body, washing away food particles and helping your mouth produce saliva to wash away plaque-causing bacteria. Next time you’re thirsty, drink a glass of water before grabbing a sports drink for a quicker, healthier recovery!

Crackers

Sugary snacks like crackers are a dangerous type of food that can erode the enamel on teeth, leading to cavities. Snacking on these types of food should be avoided as much as possible; however, if you do eat something with sugar in it, be sure to brush your teeth as soon as you can. The longer the sugar stays in contact with your teeth, the more damage it can do to your tooth enamel.

If you want to learn more tips to maintain good oral health, schedule a consultation at Dental SPA by calling (407) 330-3601. You can also visit our dental office located at 205 Towne Center Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771, for all your dental concerns.