Foods And Beverages To Be Avoided For Better Oral Health

Maintaining good oral health involves more than just brushing and flossing regularly; it also requires paying attention to what you eat and drink. Certain foods and beverages can contribute to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. As per the dentist in 85053, here are some foods and beverages to avoid for better oral health:

Sugary Foods

The sugar contained in sugary foods easily sticks to the teeth and causes tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth feed on this sugar to produce acid, which eats away tooth enamel, causing cavities.

Soft Drinks

Sodas and fruit-flavored drinks are often loaded with both sugar and acids. Many sodas also have a higher pH level than drinking water, which increases your risk of tooth decay. Even sugar-free diet sodas can be bad for your oral health because they contain artificial ingredients, which can cause irritation to the soft tissues of the mouth. Water is always the healthiest choice when it comes to beverages. If plain water is boring to you, try adding a splash of flavor with an ice cube and fresh lemon slices.

Hard Candy

Hard candies stay in your mouth for a long time, which gives them plenty of time to form plaque on your teeth. In addition to causing cavities, the stick-to-it-iveness of hard candy also makes it more likely to break your braces; remember to be diligent about brushing after consuming chewy sweets! Stick with soft chocolates or chocolate-covered nuts instead.

Avoiding sticky foods can help protect your enamel from damage and decay. Sticky foods can stick around on teeth and gums longer and create the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. By avoiding such foods, you can reduce your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Following a healthy diet can help you to avoid the discomforts of sensitive teeth as well.

Acidic Foods and Drinks

Acidic foods and beverages, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, vinegar, and carbonated drinks, can erode tooth enamel over time, making the teeth more susceptible to decay and sensitivity. Limit your consumption of acidic foods and drinks, and rinse your mouth with water afterward to help neutralize acids.

Hard Foods

Hard foods like ice cubes, hard candies, and popcorn kernels can chip or crack the teeth, leading to dental injuries and fractures. Avoid biting down on hard objects, and be cautious when eating foods that could potentially damage your teeth. Call us to learn more.

Coffee And Tea

Since coffee and tea are acidic beverages when consumed in excess, they can wear down the enamel of your teeth over time. However, if you drink these drinks in moderation, you should be fine. Make sure you drink them through a straw and rinse your mouth with water afterward. 

Wine

Wine isn’t dangerous to your oral health on its own, but drinking too much wine can lead to tooth discoloration over time. While red wine is worse for your teeth than white wine, both are hard on enamel due to their acidity. Acidic food and drinks can soften the enamel of teeth, making them more likely to decay. Enamel is the protective outer layer of the teeth. When it becomes soft, it can break down, causing tooth decay.

The sugar in wine and the high acidity level can cause cavities when the beverage is sipped over a longer period of time. In case you consume wine, it is important to rinse your mouth out with water afterward. This can help wash acid off of your teeth and prevent teeth staining.

Sports Drinks

Unfortunately, sports drinks can be damaging to your teeth. They’re often high in acidity and sugars. When these beverages are consumed in excess, they can wear away enamel over time and even cause cavities.

Some energy drinks also have a high content of sugar or acid, which can harm your dental health if consumed to excess. Additionally, the intense color and flavor of these beverages can stain your teeth easily. Most sports drinks have flavors such as lime, orange, lemon, berry, and cherry, all of which are highly pigmented and can cling to teeth easily. This can cause tooth discoloration and staining even if you brush regularly after drinking a sports drink.

It is best to consume water instead of sports drinks for hydration before, during, and after exercise. Water is also better for your overall health than sports drinks.

By avoiding these foods and beverages and practicing good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist in Phoenix, AZ regularly for checkups, you can help protect your teeth and gums and maintain optimal oral health.

To learn more, call Phoenix Family Dentistry at (602) 755-6684 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.