The 4 Worst Foods and Drinks For Your Teeth
When it comes to oral health, it’s no surprise that sugar is the main culprit when it comes to cavities and other dental issues. But sugar isn’t the only food or beverage that can damage your teeth. In fact, there are several different types of foods and beverages that can be detrimental to your oral health. Let’s take a closer look at some of them, as well as examine why flossing is so important, even if you are eating “healthy" foods.
Foods and Beverages That Are Bad for Teeth
1. Sticky Foods
Sticky foods like candy bars, fruit snacks, dried fruits, and granola bars can cause more harm than you think. Not only do these types of foods contain large amounts of sugar, but they also stick around in your mouth longer than other types of food, which can cause damage to the enamel on your teeth. Additionally, sticky foods can get in between teeth and stay put, leading to decay over time.
2. Acidic Foods/Beverages
Citrus fruits, tomatoes, sports drinks, and sodas all have high acidity levels, which can lead to enamel erosion. Acids weaken the enamel on our teeth, making them more prone to cavities and decay over time with repeated exposure.
3. Carbonated Beverages
Carbonated beverages like soda or sparkling water contain phosphoric acid, which not only weakens the enamel on our teeth but also erodes away at our tooth structure itself, causing it to become softer and more susceptible to tooth decay. Additionally, many carbonated beverages contain high amounts of sugar, which further increases their risk of causing tooth decay or cavities.
4. Grains and Legumes
Grains like bread and pasta and legumes like lentils and beans may seem harmless enough, but they actually contain a lot of starch which breaks down into sugars when chewed in our mouths. This makes them just as bad as sugary treats when it comes to oral health!
How You Can Be Proactive About Your Oral Health
It's important to remember that even if you're avoiding sugary treats or acidic drinks, there are still certain foods out there that could be damaging your teeth without you realizing it! Flossing regularly is key in keeping these "good" foods from getting stuck between your teeth, where they can cause damage over time.
Your Dental Hygiene Routine
Brushing twice a day with fluoride-containing toothpaste and flossing at least once a day can go a long way toward keeping your mouth healthy and your smile bright. For best results, it is ideal to floss before brushing. By taking the habit of flossing seriously, you can dramatically improve your dental health, reducing the risk of problems in the future.
Austell Teeth Cleaning and Preventive Care
At Austell Dental Associates, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional and personalized dental care to our patients. When you come in for your first teeth cleaning appointment, we will perform a comprehensive cleaning and exam and go over ways you can improve your oral health. Even if you take great care of your teeth, due to poor genetics and a variety of other circumstances, it may not be enough to prevent decay or disease. We offer a wide range of cleaning and preventative services to ensure your mouth is at its healthiest.
Call us at (770) 676-1230 or fill out our short online form to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly and experienced dentists.
