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Which Foods Are Harmful for Your Teeth?
If you want a bright, beautiful, strong smile that lasts your entire life, you need to take great care of your teeth now. You already know that this includes brushing, flossing, and coming in for dental appointments twice a year. But what about the foods you eat? Here’s a list of foods you should limit if you want the healthiest smile.
1. Hard & Chewy Foods
Popcorn kernels, hard candy, ice cubes, and other hard foods can lead to chipped teeth. Chewy foods like caramel can pull at fillings, causing them to become loose or lost. Use caution when eating these foods and call us right away if you lose a filling or crack a tooth. We will get you seen as soon as possible.
2. Sugary Drinks
Soda, juice, sports drinks, sweet tea, and coffee can wreak havoc on your teeth. That’s because bacteria in your mouth feed off of sugar, accumulate, and produce acids that cause enamel erosion and tooth decay. Every time you drink something, you’re covering your teeth in liquid that’s either healthful or harmful. Sugary drinks will cause harm, especially if they are chronically coating your teeth. Water, on the other hand, acts as a natural mouthrinse that will help clean teeth and prevent cavities. Drink it during and in between meals.
3. Coffee, Tea & Wine
We know that many people love their morning caffeine or a glass of wine with dinner. The problem with these beverages is that they stain teeth. For this reason, we recommend rinsing your mouth with water after drinking these beverages, whenever possible. Additionally, chew sugar-free gum for at least 20 minutes to stimulate the production of saliva. If stained teeth are a problem for you, ask us about our teeth whitening services. We can help brighten your smile after years of staining foods and beverages.
4. Processed Carbohydrates
Among the worst foods for teeth are refined starches and processed carbohydrates, a staple in the typical American diet. This category includes cookies, pastries, prepackaged muffins, crackers, white bread, potato chips, sugary cereal, etc. These foods stick to teeth and create a breeding ground for bacteria to flourish. The bacteria eat the sugar, produce enamel-destroying acids, and accumulate into plaque and tartar, which irritate and inflame gums. We recommend keeping these foods to a minimum and opting for more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
We Can Help You Maintain a Healthy Smile!
We want you to enjoy your life and your favorite foods, but moderation is key. Caring for your teeth with daily dental hygiene will protect your teeth, so always remember to brush and floss every day. Call us if you have any questions about the best foods for your dental health! We are here to help.