Worst Foods For Oral Health

Dental health is directly affected by your diet. What you eat (and how often you eat it) can have a major impact on your teeth.

Choosing the right foods can help ensure your oral health. Eating the right foods can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Here are the worst foods that can negatively impact your oral health. 

• Sugar

Sugar is one of the worst foods for your oral health. It is a leading cause of tooth decay. Bacteria love the sugars in food, so sugar-containing foods feed the bacteria that can damage our teeth. Sugary foods, such as soda, candy, and other sweets, eventually break down into simple sugars that bacteria use to multiply.

• Sticky Foods

Sticky foods such as gummy candies, caramels, and dried fruit can coat your teeth in sugar. These foods can be delicious, but it’s important to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after enjoying them to avoid cavities. Sticky foods can get stuck in the folds of your gums, making them difficult to clean. This can lead to plaque buildup, which can eventually lead to cavities.

• Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are healthy, but they aren’t great for oral health. The acid from these fruits can wear down tooth enamel. Additionally, many of these fruits have high sugar content. When these sugars mix with the acid from fruits, they create an acidic solution that can damage tooth enamel. If you do enjoy citrus fruits, you can counteract their effects by rinsing your mouth with water after you eat.

• Coffee

Coffee is one of the hardest beverages for teeth. The dark liquid can stain your teeth, but it’s not just the caffeine that can cause problems. Coffee also dries out your mouth. This can increase your risk of tooth decay. If you drink your coffee with milk or cream, be sure to drink plenty of water after your coffee. This will help wash away the acids.

• Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol can cause dehydration, leading to dry mouth. If you experience dry mouth, your saliva can’t neutralize the acid in your foods and beverages. This can cause cavities and tooth decay. Heavy drinking can lead to other oral health concerns like gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth erosion. Even one drink a day can have a negative impact on your oral health.

• Acidic Beverages

Acidic foods and beverages like sports drinks, cola, soda, etc., can cause damage to the tooth enamel. Enamel is the thin, protective layer that covers the outside of the teeth. This layer protects the teeth from damage and decay. Acidic foods can cause erosion of the enamel. This erosion can lead to dental problems.

Alta Vista Dental provides all the dental services with the expertise of experienced dentists. Call Dentist in Livermore, CA at 925-292-1459 and book your appointment to learn more ways to take care of your oral and dental health.