Six Worst Foods For Oral Health And Smile

All foods can impact your dental health, but some foods are worse than others. Listed below are some of the worst foods for your oral health. .

Sugary foods

These types of foods are not good for your oral health because they feed the bacteria in the mouth that cause both tooth decay and gum disease. Bacteria feed on sugar and then produce acids that negatively impact the teeth

Hard candy

Hard candies can be especially bad for your teeth because they cause a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the enamel of your teeth. Enamel is the hardest substance in your body, which is why it's necessary to contain your teeth and protect them from damage and decay. But hard candy can cause tiny microfractures in the surface of the teeth where bacteria can enter and cause infection.

Hard candies are also highly caloric and can add extra inches to your waistline if you're not careful. If you must have a piece of candy, make sure to drink lots of water to help rinse away the sugars from the surfaces of your teeth to mitigate the effects of harmful decay-causing acids.

Soft drinks

Soft drink consumption is higher in the United States than anywhere else in the world. The soda industry spends more than $1 million a day on marketing to American teenagers. This is no surprise since nearly 60% of adolescents in America consume at least one soft drink or energy beverage daily.

While soft drinks effectively quench thirst and provide many essential electrolytes, the negative oral health effects of drinking these beverages are staggering. They contain too much sugar, and drinking this is detrimental to your oral and overall health, so limit your intake of both regular and diet soft drinks.

If you do choose to drink them, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward to remove any remaining sugar and acid left behind by the beverage. You should also wait at least an hour to brush your teeth after consuming a soft drink to avoid damaging the enamel on your teeth. These same rules apply to sports drinks and energy drinks as well.

In addition to sugar, most soft drinks also contain citric and/or phosphoric acids. Citric acid helps enhance flavor while also lowering acidity to extend the shelf life of the beverage. Phosphoric acid is there to balance the pH of the drink to make it taste better. However, neither of these acids is good for your oral health. The acid in soft drinks erodes your tooth enamel by softening it, making your teeth more susceptible to plaque buildup and cavities. Over time, this erosion of tooth enamel can lead to discoloration and decay.

When it comes to your health, it's best to avoid the consumption of soft drinks. If you do choose to enjoy them occasionally, try to drink water afterward to help neutralize the acid and sugar left in the oral cavity. Water

Coffee and tea

Both coffee and tea contain tannins, which can create stains on teeth. So even though these hot drinks can be refreshing to drink, they can stain your teeth! Plus, both coffee consumption and tea drinking can cause teeth to become dehydrated, which can lead to tooth decay.

If you do enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea now and then, try to drink through a straw to reduce contact with your teeth. Drinking water after consuming a cold or hot beverage can also help to wash away food particles left behind by sipping your drink.

Lastly, sugar is also known to be extremely detrimental to dental health. The more sugar you consume, the more likely you are to develop cavities and other oral issues. Unfortunately, most lattes and cappuccinos contain large amounts of sugar. It's recommended to limit your coffee consumption to one cup per day to minimize the impact on your oral health.

Wine

Alcoholic beverages are very acidic and can erode enamel and contribute to decay. Red wine contains more tannins than white wine, making it more likely to stain your teeth. If you do drink alcoholic beverages, use a straw, so there is less contact with your teeth. Also, make sure to rinse your mouth with water after drinking any alcoholic beverage or brush your teeth before bed.

Dried fruits

Dried fruits are chewy and generally sticky, which makes them difficult to remove from your teeth. They are loaded with sugar and can cause cavities when eaten regularly. The stickiness of dried fruit makes it a particularly problematic food item for oral health.

To learn more, call Dentures Plus at (408) 259-1200 or visit our dental office at 1697 Havana Drive, San Jose, CA 95122.