Since you are here, you might be wondering how important your oral health is for your overall well-being. You are probably also aware that there is an important connection between your diet and your dental health. It really seems the saying “You are what you eat” rings truer and truer, and when it comes to dental health it’s even more important than usual.
Many people do not realize how important oral health truly is. It is important to be aware of having a healthy mouth in order to have a healthy body. People who are health-conscious realize that they must follow a good diet and exercise routine on a regular basis. The same goes for oral hygiene, as it can help us live a longer life. So, what we put in our bodies is important. Here is a guide to the worst food and drinks for your teeth.
Drinks:
Soda: Sodas are highly acidic and strip your enamel. We all know how bad soda is for pretty much all aspects of our health, and oral health is not an exception. A vast number of studies have shown the link between soda consumption and cavities.
Sports Drinks: Sports drinks are packed with sugar and acids and the potential for cavities and erosion is very significant. A study of the erosive effect of acidic beverages on the teeth found sports drinks to be the most erosive drinks of the bunch.
Energy Drinks: Studies have found that energy drinks to be the most acidic beverages, compared to sports drinks, sodas, and 100% juice and the second most erosive
Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages pose a serious threat to your oral health. Alcohol causes dehydration and dry mouth. This reduces saliva flow, which can cause serious problems over time such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Wine: Red and white wines are very acidic, which we already know is pretty bad for your teeth. Keep in mind that while red wine can stain your teeth more, white wines are more acidic, so they might be even more dangerous to your enamel.
Coffee: Coffee not only leaves a bad taste in your mouth, it also stains your teeth.
Fruit Juice: These are not as bad as the ones above, but just be aware of their acidic nature and at least rinse your mouth with water after drinking them.
Food:
Sticky/chewy candy: Dentists know how bad sticky candy is for their teeth. The high sugar content combined with their sticky nature makes them a nightmare for your teeth, and oral bacteria’s favorite snack.
Hard Candy: The only thing worse than having candy debris stuck in your teeth for a long time is chipping off a piece of your tooth. If you chew hard candies there is always a risk of damaging your enamel and in extreme cases, chipping a piece of your tooth off.
Sour Candy: Sour candy contains more and different kinds of acids than other variety. What makes matters worse is you can’t solve the problem by brushing immediately after you eat them, because brushing too soon after consuming highly acidic foods or drinks could damage your enamel even further.
Dried Fruit: The main problem is most dried fruits are very sticky and extremely high in sugar content. Dried fruits will not help your enamel.
Popcorn: Popcorn can get trapped between your teeth, promoting bacteria growth. Un-popped kernels are nasty as well, as they are too hard and you can damage your enamel or chip off a tooth.
Crackers: The refined carbohydrates quickly break down into sugar. Most crackers also get gooey when you chew them, so they stick between your teeth letting bacteria flourish.
Potato Chips: Unfortunately, the starch in potato chips and its mushy texture means it will stay trapped between your teeth for a long time. If possible, rinse with water and floss to remove the trapped debris.
To learn more about what food and drinks are bad for your oral hygiene, call Dedicated Dental at (702) 566-5509 to request an appointment or request one online.
