8 Foods to Avoid for Healthy Teeth
It is said that you are what you eat. This means that the food or drink intake plays a significant role in achieving healthy teeth and overall health. When eating, your teeth and gums are greatly impacted because you are not only feeding your body, but also the bacteria responsible for developing plaque or stains on your teeth.
Plaque buildup may cover the entire surfaces of your teeth. The enamel of your teeth will deteriorate when starches or sugar mix with the plaque, thus resulting in acid formation.
Aside from the possibility of tooth decay, there are other dental issues that may occur such as breaking down of the gums and other structure of the teeth. To get healthy teeth, the best thing to do is to avoid the harmful foods that can ruin your dental structures.
1 Sodas (and diet sodas)
There is a valid reason why you should avoid drinks that contain soda. The sugary soft drink can satisfy your craving for something sweet, but the truth is that it can damage your dental health.
Likewise, the intense flavor of sodas can confuse your body about the natural sweetness of fruits. Since sodas contain artificial sweeteners, they do not only cause tooth decay, but also encourage weight gain.
2 Alcohol
Excessive intake of alcohol is not only bad for the liver, but also for the teeth and gums. Alcohol can cause dehydration, thus a person may feel that their mouth is dry due to reduced flow of saliva. This may result in tooth decay, and worse, oral infections like gum disease. Continuous intake of alcohol is one of the main culprits for mouth cancer.
Read also – 7 Reasons Drinking Wine Is Good for You
3 Sweet candy
It is not bad to eat candies as long as it is in moderation. However, eating too many will expose your teeth to harmful sugar. The problem may aggravate if you eat hard candies that have higher content of sugar.
Likewise, it can also break or chip your tooth that may lead to dental emergency that may end up using veneers. If you are craving something sweet, the best alternative to take is to chew sugarless gum carrying ADA seal.
4 Fast food
People who frequently dine in fast food chains have great chances of developing dental problem such as tooth decay. It is because most of the foods and drinks served in fast food contain preservatives and food flavorings that are not good for the teeth.
In addition, dining in fast food allows the starch and sugar to stay for longer time in your teeth as you cannot brush your teeth after eating. Thus, giving more time for the bacteria to feast.
5 Sports and energy drinks
Sports and energy drinks are often seen as a healthy choice, but many of them are high in sugar and acid. This combination can wear down your tooth enamel over time, especially if you sip them slowly throughout the day. During and after workouts, water is the better choice for both your body and your teeth.
6 Citrus fruits and juices
Lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges are full of vitamin C, but they are also very acidic. Frequent contact with citrus juice can soften and wear away your tooth enamel, especially if you suck on lemon wedges or sip lemon water all day long. Enjoy citrus fruits as part of a meal, rinse your mouth with plain water afterwards, and wait about half an hour before brushing your teeth.
Read also – 9 Most Delicious Ways to Eat More Berries
7 Coffee
Another tooth stainer is coffee. It is noticeable that the teeth of most coffee drinkers are stained, because coffee can discolor teeth over time. The bigger problem is the sugar and syrups many people add to their cup, which feed the bacteria that cause plaque and tooth decay. If you love drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, drink it without added sugar and rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
8 Dried Fruits
While dried fruits may seem like a healthy snack option, they can be surprisingly harmful to your teeth. The dehydration process concentrates the natural sugars and creates a sticky texture that clings to your teeth for extended periods. This prolonged contact gives bacteria more time to feed on the sugars and produce acid that erodes tooth enamel.
If you enjoy dried fruits, try to consume them with meals rather than as standalone snacks, and always rinse your mouth with water afterward. Fresh fruits are a much better alternative as they contain more water and are less likely to stick to your teeth.
Dental health is as important as your overall health. That is why it is important to avoid consuming those foods and drinks that can damage your teeth and gums.
