The foods you eat affect your overall health, including the health of your teeth. Poor nutrition can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of tooth decay. Here is a list of some foods that can harm our oral health.
Hard candy is one of the worst foods for your oral health, especially when it’s sticky. The stickier the candy, the more harmful it can be to your teeth. Hard candy can get stuck in between teeth and in the pits and grooves of the teeth, which can cause cavities and gum disease. Lollipops and hard caramels are also very damaging to the teeth because they stay in the mouth for long periods of time. The longer the sweets are in your mouth, the more likely they are to cause decay or enamel damage.
Alcoholic beverages can also harm your pearly whites. Both wine and beer contain acid that can weaken the enamel of your teeth. When enamel weakens, it can make your teeth more sensitive and lead to more cavities. If you don’t want to give up wine or beer completely, you can minimize their negative effects by drinking them through a straw so that the liquid bypasses your teeth entirely. It’s also a good idea to drink a glass of water after you’ve had an alcoholic drink to wash away some of the acidity from the mouth.
Many sports drinks, juice boxes, and sodas are full of sugar and acid. These ingredients can erode your teeth very quickly! Even sugar-free versions contain acids that can break down your enamel and cause cavities. If you can’t kick the habit, drink these beverages through a straw to avoid direct contact with your teeth. You can also rinse your mouth with water or chew a piece of sugarless gum afterward.
Although sports drinks may be helpful for athletes, they are bad for the teeth. The acidity in sports drinks can lead to enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity. If the drink is consumed while exercising, it may cause mouth sores or blisters inside the cheeks or on the roof of the mouth. People who frequently consume sports drinks may notice tooth discoloration in a relatively short amount of time. While sports drinks can quickly cause damage, the damage can be reversed by stopping intake immediately and then practicing good oral hygiene. To restore teeth that have been damaged from sports drinks, your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments, veneers, crowns, or bridges. If you continue to consume sports drinks without treating the problem, you may experience tooth loss.
Hard, crunchy snacks like chips and crackers can damage your teeth when eating them throughout the day. The harder foods can crack and chip your enamel, leaving teeth vulnerable to decay. If you can, replace these snacks with softer options like nuts, cheese, or fresh fruits.
If you do eat the occasional cracker or chip, make sure to rinse your mouth out with water afterward. Also, drink plenty of water during the day to stay hydrated and help wash away food particles from your mouth.
To find out more about the dental services offered at Summit Family Dental Care, call (541) 779-2634 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 1420 E. McAndrews Rd, Medford, OR 97504.
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