Worst Foods For Oral Health

Certain food items, if not consumed in moderation, can wreak havoc on our oral health. It’s extremely important to know what foods to avoid to protect our teeth and keep them healthy. Listed below are 5 of the worst foods for oral health.

• Sugary Drinks and Snacks

Candies and sweets are the worst foods for your oral health because they contain large amounts of sugar and can promote tooth decay. Unfortunately, they are an extremely popular type of snack, so you’ll need to learn to limit how much you consume. 

• Sticky and Hard Candy

Hard candy, like lollipops, caramel candies, and candy canes, can be damaging to teeth because they stick around in our mouths for a long time. These chewy candies can get stuck between our teeth or wedge in between our gums and our teeth when we bite down. Biting down on these kinds of foods can cause damage by weakening the enamel of our teeth and even breaking off small chips in the tooth. In addition to being bad for your teeth, hard candies can also dull your sense of taste for a few hours after consumption. Good alternatives for this kind of candy would be sugar-free gum. 

• Sports Drinks

Soda and sports drinks are highly acidic, which is bad for your teeth and can cause enamel erosion. When you drink sodas and sports drinks, you are exposing your enamel to acid for a prolonged period of time. This can weaken your enamel, making it more prone to decay and sensitivity. If you frequently consume soda or sports drinks, talk to us about ways you can protect your teeth. There are special rinses and toothpaste that can protect your enamel from the negative effects of these beverages. 

• Acidic Foods

Acidic foods do not just affect your teeth’s enamel; they can also wear down your gum tissue as well as irritate your gums themselves. This irritation can eventually cause gum disease. By eating less acidic foods, you can limit your risk of developing gum issues. Once your gums become irritated and inflamed, brushing and flossing may become painful and difficult. If left untreated, you may eventually develop periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss. While certain acidity can lead to teeth erosion, certain foods can actually help neutralize your mouth’s pH balance. Celery and carrots are particularly helpful for this purpose. Eating these crunchy veggies will help remove plaque and cleanse the inside of your mouth. Be sure to drink plenty of water following meals to help wash away any food debris that may linger in your mouth.

• Starchy Foods

Starch is a carbohydrate that can be found in many foods, such as potatoes, corn, and rice. While starch can provide some health benefits, it can also cause tooth decay when consumed too often or in large quantities. This is because starches are broken down into sugar by bacteria in the mouth. Then the bacteria feed on the sugar and release acid as a byproduct. The acid wears away at the enamel of the tooth and causes decay. Therefore, it is best to limit the amount of starch you eat each day to avoid cavities.

Dr. James Thurber DDS, located in Lubbock, TX, has modern amenities and the latest technologies that enable the best dental care facilities for patients. Call us at (806) 745-6644 and book a consultation with the dentist.