Worst Foods For Oral Health

Sugary foods, hard candy, soft drinks, coffee, tea, wine, sports drinks, citrus fruits and juices, dried fruits, and starchy foods can all damage your teeth. While the occasional indulgence won’t do much harm, it’s important to limit these foods to protect your oral health. Listed below are some worst foods for oral health.

Sugary Foods

Too much sugar is bad for your health in general, but when it comes to your teeth specifically, sugar can erode enamel and leave your teeth vulnerable to decay. When sugar is eaten, it sits in your mouth for hours between brushings and causes dental issues like tooth decay and cavities.

Soft Drinks

Sodas are basically liquid sugar! They can cause cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. Diet sodas are also not good for your dental health since they can actually break down into acid in the mouth. Over time this can cause erosion of the enamel of your teeth. Some sodas have as much sugar as several candy bars. Consider buying a reusable water bottle that you can fill up with tap water instead to save money as well as your health.

Hard Candy

Chewing on a piece of hard candy can easily chip or crack a tooth and can also cause jaw pain. Hard candies are super sticky, so once they get stuck in between teeth, they are really hard to get out without professional help. The bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities love to eat the sugar that is found in most hard candies. It’s best to avoid these altogether if you have problems with your teeth and gums.

Alcohol And Caffeine

Like soft drinks, alcohol also contains a lot of sugar and is bad for you in general. And in regards to the health of your smile, it can stain your teeth and also dry out your mouth.

Coffee & Tea

If you drink coffee or tea, try to stick to just a couple of cups a day. However, if you have too much caffeine, this can stain your teeth. After consuming these beverages, drink water to remineralize and rehydrate your teeth. Choose to drink organic varieties whenever possible to avoid pesticides that can actually harm your oral microbiome.

Wine

Most people are aware that wine contains alcohol, but not many people know that it also contains acids that can erode tooth enamel. The acid in white wine can cause more damage to your teeth than in red wine. White wines should be avoided as much as possible to protect your smile from cavities. Red wine causes less damage and can be consumed in moderation, but you should never drink more than one or two glasses a day.

Sports Drinks

Many Americans enjoy sports drinks as a healthier alternative to soft drinks and other beverages loaded with sugar. Unfortunately, these popular beverages are not good for our oral health. The ingredients in sports drinks are not only bad for teeth but tooth enamel as well. Most brands of sports drinks contain citric acid or phosphoric acid. These acids help the drink stay clear and give the beverage its signature taste. But over time, exposure to acid can break down tooth enamel and make your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Over time, this breakdown can lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Sports drinks also have a high amount of sugar, typically in the form of high fructose corn syrup. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth and causes tooth decay. When you consume a sports drink, you are essentially bathing your teeth in sugar and giving bacteria a chance to multiply and cause damage.

It is best to avoid consuming sports drinks altogether if possible. If you need something to drink after a workout, water is the best option. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, you can add a slice of lemon or a sprig of mint to make it more palatable.

Citrus Fruits & Juices

Many citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are full of Vitamin C and other nutrients that are healthy for our bodies. However, the acids in citrus products can erode tooth enamel and eventually lead to cavities if they are consumed regularly.

Dried Fruits

The sticky texture of dried fruit contributes to tooth decay because your teeth can’t really clean all of the sugar off of your teeth and gums. Dried fruit has a lot of sugars in it that can also feed bacteria like plaque and cause cavities. On top of that, the chewy texture and stickiness can stick to your teeth for long periods of time and put long-term wear on your tooth enamel. Try to avoid these snacks or consume them in moderation.

Please reach out to our dental practice in Walnut Creek, CA, to have a consultation with our Dentist in Walnut Creek, CA. You can call us at (925) 937-2273 or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.