Worst Foods For Oral Health

Just like the rest of your body, your mouth requires a well-balanced diet to maintain overall health. Your oral and overall health are interconnected, so making sure to eat a healthy, well-balanced, and nutritious diet is important for your oral health. On the other hand, it is also important to avoid the consumption of some foods and beverages. Here is a list of such foods and beverages that can affect our oral health: 

• Candies

Candy bars, lollipops, and other sticky candies tend to stick to teeth, which means they can cause tooth decay if patients don’t brush their teeth. When patients eat something gummy and sugary, bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars. As the bacteria eat, they release acid that eats away the tooth enamel and causes cavities.

• Ice Cream

Ice cream is a delicious treat, but unfortunately, it’s also bad for your teeth. That’s because eating ice cream can increase your risk of tooth decay. That’s because ice cream often contains a lot of sugar, which encourages plaque to form on your teeth. Plaque buildup can lead to cavities, and if you have sugar in your saliva, your teeth will soak it up.

Additionally, eating cold foods can increase your risk of dental sensitivity. That’s because eating cold foods can temporarily increase the blood flow to your teeth. This can cause tooth pain, which is why it’s best to eat cold foods in moderation.

• Dried Fruit

Dried fruit contains a lot of sugar, which encourages bacterial growth and plaque accumulation. Candies, gums, and other sticky or sweet snacks can also have the same effect. The sticky texture of these snacks can collect in nooks and crannies in your teeth, leading to decay over time.

• Sticky Foods

Some foods that we think of as healthy are actually terrible for oral health. Sticky foods like these can cling to your teeth long after you’ve eaten them, increasing the risk for cavities.

Sticky foods can also make it more difficult to clean your teeth. More stuck on food means that you’ll have to work that little bit harder to get rid of plaque and tartar buildup and avoid cavities.

• Hard Foods

Hard and crunchy foods are some of the hardest foods for your oral health. When you chew on hard foods, the biting pressure is almost twice as much as what you would experience when chewing on soft food. Crunchy foods can even crack your tooth enamel, exposing the sensitive dentin underneath.

• Popcorn

Popcorn is a popular snack that many people eat while watching a movie or going out to the movies. Unfortunately, popcorn is not good for your oral health. It is too sticky and can get stuck on your teeth. When you try to chew popcorn, it gets stuck and cuts your gums. The kernels get stuck in your teeth. If you do eat popcorn, try to eat the plain kernels without butter or salt. This will help lessen the amount of sugar you are eating.

• Soda

Soda is high in sugar, which is bad for your teeth. Soda has acidity, as well, which can lead to enamel erosion. Because of the high acidity and the sugar, the pH level in your mouth goes down after you drink soda. This changes the environment in your mouth and can lead to cavities.

• Alcoholic Beverages

Any beverage that contains alcohol can weaken your teeth and gums. Alcohol can be extremely acidic, which wears down your enamel and makes it harder for your mouth to protect your teeth. If you are having a glass of wine or beer, make sure to drink plenty of water. It will help rinse the acid off your teeth.

• Pickled Foods

Pickled foods, like dill pickles, contain high levels of acid and can damage your teeth. Acid weakens the enamel on your teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities. If you do enjoy pickles, consider limiting your intake to a few times per week.

To learn more, contact our team at Wellness Centered Dentistry by calling (425) 882-1354. You can also visit us at 16150 NE 85th St # 115, Redmond, 98052.