Worst Foods For Oral Health

Do you know some foods have qualities that worsen our oral health? There are some foods and beverages that can wear away our tooth enamel, cause cavities, and damage our teeth. Here is a list of such foods and drinks. 

• Sticky candy

Sticky candy like taffy and caramel can really stick to your teeth. These candies can also have sugar in them, which will eat away the tooth enamel. Sticky candy can also pull at the gums, causing them to recede. Sticky foods, such as dried fruits and gummy candies, provide the perfect environment for bacteria to grow, leading to tooth decay.

• Sugary foods

Sugary foods, such as candies and cookies, can cause tooth decay by feeding the bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria love sugar and produce acids that eat away at your teeth, leading to cavities. In fact, sugary drinks aren’t just bad for your teeth; they’re also bad for your overall health! They raise the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. 

• Acidic foods

Acidic foods include citrus fruits, carbonated beverages, wine, vinegar, and tomatoes. Acidic foods can cause tooth enamel erosion. Enamel erosion is the process in which the hard outer coating of the teeth, enamel, begins to wear away. This can eventually lead to cavities. 

• Sports drinks

Sports drinks contain acids that wear away at the enamel, making teeth more prone to staining and cavities. Acidic drinks are also bad for enamel, so it’s best to avoid all carbonated beverages. If you must drink soda, try drinking it through a straw to minimize direct contact with your teeth.

• Popcorn

Popcorn is one of the worst foods for oral health. It is high in sugar and starch, and when you eat it, the popcorn kernels pass between your teeth, which can damage your enamel. As a high-calorie snack, popcorn can also be bad for your teeth because it makes it harder for your body to process the sugar.

• Dried fruit

Dried fruit isn’t the best snack for your oral health. It often contains high levels of sugar, which can cause tooth decay, plaque, and gum disease. You might also notice that your teeth are stained after eating dried fruit because the acid in the fruit can degrade your teeth.

• Alcoholic beverages

Drinking alcohol is never good for your body, and that includes your mouth. Alcohol can lead to tooth decay and dry mouth, which may cause halitosis. Alcohol also tends to dry out your mouth and throat, which can make snoring worse. If you suffer from dry mouth, alcohol will only make the problem worse. Alcohol can also lead to cavities because it softens enamel.

Contact ÉLAN Dentistry for the best dental care. To book an appointment, call (714) 364-8181 or visit us at 1030 West Imperial Hwy, La Habra, CA 90631.