Seven Foods that May Damage Your Teeth
The foods and beverages that you include in your diet all affect your teeth and gums.
While some foods and beverages promote healthy teeth and gums, others may lead to tooth decay, erosion, and the development of oral disease.
1. Soda, diet soda, and sweetened beverages
Sugary beverages like soda, sweetened coffee drinks, and energy drinks have a slew of negative effects on health. These beverages affect your teeth in two harmful ways: They are acidic and they provide fuel for cavity-promoting bacteria. Cavity-promoting bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans, feed on sugar and produce acids that demineralize or break down tooth enamel.
2. Table sugar, candy, and other sources of added sugar
Numerous studies have shown that children and adults with diets high in added sugar have a significantly greater risk of cavities and gum disease.
3. Sugary cereal and baked sweets
Not only will these food choices leave you feeling hungry in an hour or so due to their lack of protein and other important nutrients, but these foods are high in added sugar and refined carbs, which are not good for your teeth. Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals and grain-based sweets are some of the top contributors of added sugar intake in children and adolescents ages 6–19.
4. White bread and refined starchy foods
Refined carbs, like white bread and white rice, and certain starchy foods, like potato chips, may contribute to poor oral health.
As with added sugar, bacteria in the mouth rapidly ferment the sugars found in carb sources like white bread and chips, which produces enamel-eroding acid.
5. Fruit juice and fruit pops
Even though 100% fruit juice contains an abundance of important nutrients, drinking it too often may not be healthy for your teeth.
Fruit juices are acidic and can erode tooth enamel. This is especially true of more acidic types, like grape, orange, apple, and lemon juice.
6. Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages, especially drinks made with added sugar and acidic ingredients, are not good for dental health.
Alcohol use is considered an important risk factor for oral cancer because it affects the permeability of the lining of the mouth, making it more vulnerable to potential cancer-promoting substances.
7. Excessively sticky or hard foods
Some foods may increase the chances of chipping a tooth or pulling out a filling. For example, crunching on hard foods, like hard pretzels or hard candies, may cause you to chip a tooth. Additionally, sticky candies like caramel and taffy can stick to teeth and may increase the chance of pulling out dental fillings. Plus, sticky candies can increase the risk of dental erosion.
If you have a periodontal/dental implant condition, it’s important to receive treatment before it becomes a dental emergency. At the Havrilla Center for Periodontics & Dental Implants located in Broomall, PA, attending to your comfort and concerns is our first priority. Our mission is to provide you with the highest quality of periodontal and dental implant care in a warm and friendly environment.