Worst Foods For Your Oral Health

Cavities and periodontal diseases are largely preventable, but do you know certain foods can promote tooth decay? Some foods regularly consumed or sipped on throughout the day can increase the likelihood of developing tooth decay, cavities, and several other dental problems. Here is a list of foods that can badly affect our oral health.

• Sugary Foods

Candies, cookies, and cakes are all terrible for your dental health because they contain a lot of sugar. Bacteria in your mouth love sugar, so when you chew on anything sugary, the germs in your mouth are more than happy to multiply. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

• Sticky Foods

Sticky candy, for example, is well known for wreaking havoc on teeth. As people chew, the sticky substance becomes a paste that coats the teeth. This, combined with the sugar that’s in many of these foods, can cause tooth decay.

• Acidic Foods

Acidic foods can wear away at your tooth enamel, leaving it weakened and more prone to developing tooth decay. Some common acidic foods include cola, sports drinks, dried fruit, wine, coffee, soda, beer, etc. Eating or drinking these foods too often can lead to tooth enamel erosion, so try to limit your intake. If you do consume these foods, make sure you drink water afterward to help wash them down.

• Dry Foods

Dry and crunchy foods can be harmful to your teeth and gums. When eating these foods, you can chip or break your teeth. The pieces can get stuck in the gaps between teeth, which can be uncomfortable and painful. Eating dry foods can also cause food particles to remain in your mouth. These particles can be left on your teeth for hours, increasing your risk of tooth decay.

• Alcoholic Drinks

Beer, wine, and hard alcohol all contain high levels of sugar and acidity, which can eat away at your tooth enamel. They can also cause dry mouth, affecting your oral health. Alcoholic drinks can also stain your teeth. It’s also common for drinks like red wine to stain your tongue, as well.

• Tobacco Products

Tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, cause oral cancer, tooth decay, and other dental problems. If you use tobacco products, ask your dentist about ways to quit. Tobacco products contain nicotine, which is a bacteria that quickly destroys tooth enamel and causes bad breath. Tobacco use also causes dry mouth, which leads to plaque buildup and tooth decay.

• Hard Candies

Hard candies can stick to your teeth and gums for a long time, causing damage and cavities. The sugar, artificial flavoring and coloring, and acidity can erode the enamel on your teeth and damage your gums. Eating hard candies frequently can even cause tooth loss.

• Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are marketed to athletes, but their high acid content is not helpful for anyone’s oral health. The acid in many sports drinks can weaken tooth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to decay. If you are an athlete who participates in sports regularly, be sure to drink lots of water instead of sports drinks after your game or practice.

• Coffee and Tea

Coffee and tea both contain tannins, which are known to stain teeth. The darker the beverage, the stronger the stain. Drinking coffee regularly can stain the teeth yellow or brown, while tea has the potential to stain teeth dark brown.

Wish to learn more oral care tips? Dillon-Costantino Dental can help you. We are located at 10505 West Pico Blvd, West Los Angeles, CA 90064. Call (310) 475-0617 to schedule your appointment.