The 10 Worst Foods for Your Oral Health

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Oral Health

Every day, we are faced with hundreds of decisions that can affect our oral health. Some choices are easy to make, and others seem like a no-brainer. The truth is, there are many foods that you might not realize will damage your teeth. Below is the list of 10 foods from a South Tampa dentist that could be doing more harm than good!

Sugar

Sugar is the number one enemy of your oral health. It feeds bacteria in your mouth, leading to tooth decay and cavities.

Alcohol

Alcohol can dehydrate you, which leads to dry mouth (xerostomia). This gives bacteria more opportunity to thrive, resulting in plaque buildup on teeth and gums.

Coffee

Coffee is another beverage that will dehydrate you and cause a dry mouth. Coffee is high acidic content that wears down enamel over time, making teeth sensitive when exposed too often or for long periods.

Tobacco

The nicotine found in tobacco decreases saliva production, lowers protective enzymes, and less calcium for healthy bones/teeth’ structure with age increases the risk of gum disease due to fewer minerals being released into the saliva from foods eaten.

Acidic Food and Beverages, such as Citrus Fruits and Tomatoes

The citric acid in these foods can erode tooth enamel over time. It’s important to drink plenty of water after eating acidic foods to help rinse away the acids and limit their damaging effects.

Starchy foods, Such as Bread and Pasta

Bread is a starchy food that becomes sticky when wet. This makes it difficult to clean off your teeth, leading to bacteria buildup and plaque formation over time.

Processed Meats

Processed meats such as sausages and cold cuts contain high amounts of chemicals which can stain your teeth, increasing the risk for tooth decay. Due to their sticky nature, these foods are difficult to remove once consumed, so it is important to brush after consuming processed meat products.

Fried Foods

Deep-fried food contains a bubbly batter that hardens during frying, making them more challenging than other foods when cleaning off your teeth. This requires you to take even longer to thoroughly remove each morsel between your teeth, leaving less time for brushing!

Foods with Artificial Sweeteners  

Foods that contain artificial sweeteners, such as candy and gum, can be harmful to your oral health. These products often contain high levels of sugar which feed bacteria in your mouth. This can lead to tooth decay and cavities over time.

Dried Fruits that Contain Sugar or Added Sugars

Dried fruits are a healthy snack option, but be aware that many dried fruits contain added sugars. These added sugars can feed bacteria in your mouth and lead to tooth decay and cavities.

In summary, the ten worst foods for your oral health are bread and rolls, cookies, cakes, and pies. These foods can lead to tooth decay over time because they have a high sugar content that is hard on teeth. If you want to keep your smile healthy in the long run, it’s important to consume a balanced diet with plenty of fresh produce and lean proteins, so you don’t eat too many sweets!

Of course, having a regular check-up with the Dentist in Raleigh adds to improving your dental health while avoiding too much of the abovementioned foods that could wreak havoc on your teeth.

It’s never too late when starting an oral care regimen. There are always ways we can improve our dental hygiene habits or change how we brush our teeth, making us feel better about ourselves while preventing future issues.