Eating a healthy diet is important for your oral health. You need to eat a well-balanced diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. You should also limit foods that are high in sugar and acid. The sugar from these drinks sticks to your teeth, which can increase your risk of cavities. Here are some worst foods for oral health.

Sugary Foods

Simple sugars found in drinks like fruit juice, soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks are some of the worst things for your oral health. These are a high risk for tooth decay because they dissolve quickly in the mouth to cause decay around your teeth. If you eat these foods and drink these beverages often, you put yourself at risk for cavities.

Hard Candy

Any type of candy that stays in your mouth for a long period of time increases the risk of tooth decay. This includes lollipops and other sucking candies that are sucked on and left in the mouth for a long time. This can cause bacteria and acid to build up on the teeth, leading to plaque formation and tooth decay. This is especially bad with chewy and hard candies that can get stuck in the teeth along the gum line and between teeth. After you eat these types of candies, rinse your mouth out with water to remove any leftover sugar and acid.

Soft Drinks and Soda

Soda is one of the leading causes of tooth decay due to the amount of sugar they contain. We all know how damaging sugar is for the teeth, but soda takes it to a new level by adding even more sugar to the equation. Even diet soda contains acidic elements that wear away the tooth enamel and cause tooth erosion – which can lead to tooth loss and sensitivity. If you have to drink soda, make sure to drink it through a straw so the liquid doesn’t touch your teeth as much and risks causing damage. Also, drink plenty of water after you finish the soda to help rinse away the sugar and acid from the mouth.

Beverages that are better for your oral health include plain water, unsweetened tea, and low-sugar coffee drinks. Incorporating more water into your diet will not only help keep your mouth clean but also keep your whole body healthy. Water is the best thing you can consume for your body, so try to drink more of it.

Another advantage of drinking water is that it is calorie-free, unlike sodas. If you are trying to lose weight, replace any sodas with water. Face it; water is way better for you.

Coffee and Tea

Although coffee and tea contain antioxidants and polyphenols, they can also erode teeth. The acidity of coffee can also make tooth enamel more vulnerable to decay by weakening its protective properties. Additionally, both beverages can stain teeth over time and lead to yellowing or discoloration of the teeth. Try diluting your coffee or tea with milk and sugarless sweeteners such as aspartame to reduce your risk of tooth decay. Drinking through a straw can also help to protect your teeth from the harmful effects of these drinks.

Wine

Although wine is often touted as a great beverage for overall health, it actually does a number on your teeth. From staining to eroding, red wine, in particular, has properties that are damaging to your enamel. Dark-colored wines have higher amounts of tannins, which can leave dark stains on your teeth. White wines are not as bad for your teeth as red wines, but they are still best avoided because they contain acids that can damage your teeth. If you enjoy drinking wine regularly, be sure to rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth right after you finish drinking. If you must drink a glass of white wine, it is best to do it with a meal so that you don’t sip on it throughout the day. If you do want to enjoy some red wine, you can minimize the effects of the acid by drinking water while you drink the wine glass of wine, brushing your teeth afterward, and avoiding red and darker-colored wines.

Sports Drinks

All sports drinks are bad for teeth because of the high amount of acidity and sugar in them. The sugar in these drinks feeds oral bacteria, which eat away at the tooth enamel and tooth structure. The high acid content in sports drinks eats away at the enamel as well, causing cavities to develop over time.

Even sugar-free sports drinks are not good for teeth because of the amount of acid in them and the interaction with saliva. When these drinks are consumed, they lower the pH of saliva to below-neutral levels in the mouth. This drop in pH levels allows oral bacteria to grow more freely and make acids that damage the teeth.

If you drink sports drinks often or consume them after consuming a lot of acidic food such as oranges or tomatoes, you may want to rinse your mouth with water immediately after drinking to prevent damage to the teeth from prolonged exposure.

Citrus Fruits and Juices

Acidic fruits and juices such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are all highly acidic and can erode tooth enamel. When drinking citrus juice, use a straw so that the liquid bypasses the teeth. Rinse your mouth with water after consuming citrus fruits. And don’t brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes afterward; otherwise, you risk damaging the enamel even more by brushing too soon after the acid attack. To help prevent cavities, limit your consumption of acidic foods and beverages.

At Point Loma Family Dentistry, our team is dedicated to providing you with excellent dental care in a relaxing atmosphere. To know more about treatments offered by our dentist, call us at (619) 223-3811 and schedule an appointment to visit the dental practice.