Worst Food For Oral Health

Eating right is essential for maintaining good oral health, but eating the wrong foods can be damaging to teeth. Listed below are some of the worst foods for your teeth.

• Sugary Drinks

Sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks are all full of sugar. Even those without added sugars can be acidic enough to cause tooth decay, as can wine and other alcoholic beverages. If you do drink sweetened beverages, try to rinse with water afterward to help wash away the sugars. Finally, don’t brush right away after eating or drinking something sugary. Allow some time for the sugar and acid to dissipate from the mouth so that you can start fresh when you brush your teeth. If you experience sensitivity after consuming sugary foods or beverages, consult with your dentist about the best treatment option for you.

• Sticky Foods

Some foods are more likely to stick to your teeth than others, which can increase your risk for tooth decay. Avoid sticky food whenever possible and brush or rinse with water after eating them. Examples of foods that stick to your teeth include caramel apples, dried fruit, candy, peanut butter, and nuts. If you’re eating any of these foods for another reason besides taste, try to eat them at the end of your meal rather than at the beginning. If you suffer from dry mouth, avoid all sticky foods because they could exacerbate the condition. A dry mouth can increase your risk of gum disease and cause bad breath. Additionally, individuals with crowns cannot eat sticky foods because these can damage the restoration. Although you should limit your consumption of sticky foods, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these foods in moderation. You can also brush your teeth after each meal to help remove leftover food particles. 

• Hard Candies

When it comes to tooth health, hard candies are the worst offenders of them all. That’s because these types of candies stay in your mouth the longest and are directly responsible for causing tooth decay. This is because when you chew on them, they cause your teeth to erode. The sugar in the candy feeds the bacteria in plaque, which create acids that eat away at your enamel. Once enough of the enamel has dissolved, you’re left with a cavity.

It’s not only the sugar that’s harmful to your mouth – the hard shells of candies like lollipops and caramels can also cause significant damage to your teeth and gums as well. Gum can be good for your dental health in the sense that it can help remove food particles from your teeth, but chewing gum that contains sugar or artificial dyes can cause cavities. Additionally, the repetitive motion of chewing can cause damage to your gums by wearing away the protective seal around your teeth.

• Coffee

Coffee can stain your teeth and cause discoloration if consumed in excess. If you drink coffee, make sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward or brush your teeth to prevent the coffee’s staining properties. If you do consume coffee and notice tooth stains, contact our office for teeth whitening treatments that can remove deep-set stains from your tooth enamel. Drinking water is the best option when it comes to beverages that you consume throughout the day. Water can help keep your saliva production levels high and wash away any bacteria that is left in your mouth after you eat. This prevents food particles from being trapped between your teeth and causing cavities and decay.

If you’re struggling to maintain your oral health because of a poor diet, schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today! We can develop a custom treatment plan to help you reach your optimal oral health goals. 

Silicon Valley Dental Care, located in San Jose, CA, is equipped with the best dentists and modern technologies that enable the best dental care treatments for patients. Call us at (408) 224-1333 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to know more.