Worst Foods For Your Oral Health

Do you know the foods we eat can cause plaque buildup and tooth decay? The foods we eat can also impact the health of our gums. In fact, certain foods can even cause gum disease. What you eat can play a role in maintaining your oral health and preventing oral health issues. Here is a list of a few foods that can affect your oral health and can cause several dental issues:

• Soda and energy drinks

Soda and energy drinks are some of the worst beverages for your teeth. Both contain high amounts of acid and sugar, which can break down enamel and cause decay. Sugary, acidic beverages also increase bacteria in the mouth, which can contribute to bad breath and gum disease.

• Sugary foods

Sugary foods like candy, soda, cake, and even fruit juice are almost always bad for your teeth. They have high levels of sugar, which feeds the bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities. Sugar is also highly acidic, which means it can slowly wear down the enamel of your teeth. To protect your teeth, limit sugary foods, and be sure to brush and floss your teeth after eating them.

• Starchy foods

Starchy foods are some of the worse foods for your oral and overall health. Starchy foods include noodles, bread, crackers, chips, and potatoes. These foods break down into simple sugars. The bacteria in your mouth consume these sugars, creating harmful acids. These acids eat away at the enamel on your teeth.

• Teeth-staining foods

Foods that stain your teeth include those that are dark in color and contain tannins and chromogens. Tannins come from plants, while chromogens come from fruit. Some examples include coffee, tea, wine, berries, and soy sauce.

• Tooth-staining beverages

Tea, coffee, and wine are some of the worst beverages for your oral health. The tannins in tea erode tooth enamel and stain your teeth. Coffee and wine have similar effects. Besides, the sugar content in them can be bad for your dental health. If you are an avid tea drinker, avoid adding sugar to your tea. Sugars feed oral bacteria, which makes your teeth more susceptible to staining. If you can’t give up your tea, try to drink it with a straw and brush your teeth afterward.

• Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, and limes, contain a lot of acids, which wear down the enamel on your teeth. The acid can also irritate the gum tissue, leading to inflammation and gum disease. If you eat citrus fruits, make sure to rinse your mouth with water and wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth.

• Hard foods

Hard foods, such as ice cubes, candies, and nuts, should be avoided. They can cause your dental work to break or become dislodged. You should also avoid chewing ice or hard candies.

Hard foods will also damage your enamel. This can cause sensitivity, discoloration, and decay.

To find out more about the dental services offered at One and Truly Dental, call (516)-759-0086 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 70 Glen St, #240 Glen Cove, NY, 11542.