Certain types of food and drinks are harmful to your gums and teeth. Some of the ingredients that are listed might surprise you. For instance, diet sodas are low in sugar compared to regular colas. So they’re healthier for you, right? But not always. Diet sodas have citric and phosphoric acids that scratch away enamel. If exposed for a long time, acids and enamel erosion could cause tooth decay.
It is crucial to understand the major factors that affect oral health. Dental problems like gingivitis, plaque, cavities, and gum disease may be extremely detrimental to overall health. Eliminating or limiting certain food items could improve the health of your teeth. Learn ways to improve your dental health by making healthy diet choices.
1. Sugar
The bacteria responsible for the development of gum disease and tooth decay is stimulated and multiplied by sugar. Cough drops, hard candies, and lollipops are all typical causes of tooth plaque and fractures. Plaque is a type of bacteria that sticks to teeth and leads to enamel erosion. When sugar and plaque mix, it releases acid, which consumes from the surface of teeth. After repeated exposure to this acid, teeth decay is a possibility.
2. Ice
Although it might seem odd, ice can be one of the biggest problems for teeth, particularly if you love to smack on it. It can result in tooth fractures cracking, breaking, and cracking. Repetitive exposure to chewing on hard or crunchy materials can also cause damage to the enamel. Opt instead for the liquid type and drink water instead of crushing it.
3. Citrus
Citrus is particularly hard on enamel. The acid in citrus can cause tooth decay and enamel erosion. The high amount of citrus in food items like grapefruits, limes, and lemons gradually weakens the hard surfaces of teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and decay. Beware of juices from the fruit as they may be rich in acidic citric. Drinking water flavored with citrus can also cause erosion of the enamel on your teeth. Therefore, you should clean your mouth with plain water.
4. Tea and coffee
Caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea can dry out your mouth and leave stains on your teeth. Dehydrating drinks hinder the body’s natural capacity to cleanse and moisten the mouth. A long-term pattern of dry mouth increases the likelihood of gum disease and decay. The consumption of tea or coffee with sugar increases the risk of tooth decay and enamel loss. Always clean your teeth or drink plain water after drinking beverages containing caffeine or sugar.
5. Sticky Foods
Foods that are chewy and likely to adhere to teeth are harmful to your tooth’s enamel. The sticky substances adhere to the enamel and cause erosion and the possibility of tooth decay. Fruit leathers and caramels, dried fruits, and trail mix are detrimental. These foods can get stuck between teeth when they are coupled with sugars; the results can be harmful. Always floss and brush after eating sweets and drinks, and consume plenty of plain water.
6. Crunchy Foods
Hard, crunchy food items and sweets can cause extreme damage to the enamel and cause it to weaken. Even healthy, scrumptious foods like apples and carrots can be difficult on the pearly whites of your teeth. Certain foods that need you to cut or break them up, like potato chips, may result in tooth decay and tooth breakage. Foods that are hard and full of starch, like chips, can be doubly harmful to your teeth. Starch is a kind of sugar that covers the tooth with an abrasive bacteria-loving substance. The substance, along with other bacteria, can cause plaque, which eventually leads to tooth decay.
7. Sugary Sodas
Sodas, and even diet sodas, are not good for your teeth. They have a high sugar content, and the high level of acids can deliver the teeth with a smack. While diet sodas don’t have the same sugar levels as regular sodas, they contain the same acidic and phosphoric acids that scratch away enamel. The sugar content in sodas can cause tooth damage. The acids aid in this process while weakening and damaging a tooth’s defenses. If the drink is caffeine-based and carbonated, it poses another risk to dental health and gum health. Carbonated drinks contain acids that are which weaken enamel, and caffeine causes dryness in the mouth, hindering saliva’s ability to rinse and flush teeth naturally.
8. White Bread
White bread transforms into an emulsifying starch inside the mouth. It coats all mouth surfaces with a sticky film that attracts bacteria and other bacteria. Starches easily penetrate between teeth, too, and it is, therefore, essential to clean your teeth following eating white bread to prevent cavities and decay. If possible, select wheat bread as a healthy alternative to soft white bread.
9. Alcohol
Alcohol can be extremely dehydrating, which results in less saliva to rinse and cleanse the mouth. A dry mouth that is chronically dry can lead to tooth decay and other complications like gum disease. Drinking alcohol regularly can increase the risk of developing oral cancers. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids when drinking alcohol to avoid dehydration.
10. Sports Drinks
Many people believe they are healthy alternatives to water but are often high in sugar. A lot of sports drinks list sugar as the primary ingredient, which indicates it is sugar that’s the main ingredient in the drink. Alternate with water if possible, or opt for a drink with less sugar.
It is recommended that the American Dental Association recommends brushing every day twice as well as flossing every day, and drinking plenty of water to maintain the best oral hygiene. Select low-sugar, low-acidic food and beverages whenever you can. Make sure to use sugar-free gum when flossing or brushing isn’t an alternative. Regularly visit your dentist for check-ups and maintain healthy gums and teeth.
