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It’s important to devote time and effort to maintaining good oral hygiene. Some foods have a higher risk for causing tooth damage than others. This article takes a look at some of them.
You are supposedly what you eat. And there’s no better indicator of it than your own mouth. This is due to the fact that plaque buildup, which can have detrimental effects on dental health, is caused by consuming a wide variety of common meals and drinks.
Gum disease and tooth decay are both exacerbated by plaque, a bacterial film that sticks to teeth. The bacteria in your mouth produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel after you eat anything sugary. Cavities form when enamel breaks down.
Cavities are painful and can lead to difficulty biting and even abscessed teeth.
And if you don’t remove plaque by brushing and flossing, it will harden into tartar. Tartar can occur above or below the gum line, and both lead to gingivitis, an early form of gum disease.
How do you keep your mouth free from the damage plaque causes? The foods below should be avoided or consumed in moderation in addition to regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.
Food Items to Avoid for Healthy Teeth
Candies
It’s no secret that candy is bad for your teeth and gums. Sour candies, however, are more harmful to your teeth because they contain multiple types of acid.
Additionally, due to their chewy nature, they are more prone to induce tooth decay because they remain on the teeth for longer. Grab a square of chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth instead of reaching for something messy like candy.
You can also read: Gum Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Alcohol
The harmful effects of alcohol consumption are likely well-known. Drinking, however, is known to cause oral dryness. Without saliva, our teeth would quickly deteriorate.
Saliva takes away food particles and keeps them from clinging to your teeth. It’s so effective, in fact, that it can reverse the onset of dental infections like gingivitis and periodontitis. Drinking enough of water and using fluoride rinses and oral hydration treatments can both help you maintain a healthy mouth environment.
Carbonated beverages
A lot of people probably already know that soda and pop, particularly the “diet” varieties, don’t do much good. Carbonated soda can cause as much harm to your teeth as methamphetamine and crack cocaine.
Drinking carbonated sodas increases plaque acid production, which in turn erodes tooth enamel. Drinking soda all day is like painting your teeth with acid. In addition, it reduces the amount of saliva in your mouth.
Finally, sodas with dark colors might leave stains on your teeth. Remember: wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth after chugging a can of soda. This may speed the inevitable demise.
Potato Chips
For some of us, nothing beats the pleasant crunch of a freshly-made potato chip. However, there is a lot of starch in the chips. Plaque bacteria are fed by the sugar that forms when starch is trapped on and between the teeth.
We rarely consume just one, so the chips’ acidity stays with us for quite some time. If food remains stuck in your teeth after eating, flossing will help.
Dried fruits
Dried fruits are often mistaken for a nutritious snack. Even if that may be the case, many dried fruits have a sticky texture which makes it easy for them to get stuck between teeth and in other crevices, where they leave behind sugar. However, there is a dearth of information on this subject, and further study is warranted.
If you do like to consume dried fruits, make sure you rinse your mouth with water. When you’re done eating, wash your teeth and use floss. Eating the fresh varieties is preferable because they contain less sugar.
Conclusion
Taking care of your teeth takes time and effort, but the benefits to your health and well-being are well worth it. Along with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, limiting certain foods and beverages can assist to maintain tooth health.