9 Foods That May Damage Your Teeth

Even if you strictly follow a good oral hygiene regime, it may still become challenging to maintain the health of your teeth and gums for a long.

The health of your teeth and gums also depends a lot on your diet. It is not easy to resist certain food items, no matter the damage in the aftermath. However, if you feel like the food items are too tempting to let go of, it is advised to brush and floss thoroughly after eating them to prevent bacterial buildup.

It is crucial, as it can affect oral health, causing plaque, tooth decay, bad breath, and gum diseases such as gingivitis and other significant problems. Excessive sugary foods can invite bacteria to settle in your teeth, causing cavities.

Therefore, visiting a dentist every six months is always advisable to prevent such issues. However, you may want to know if there are any decent dental clinics in the suburbs of Australia. Yes, there are dental clinics in different states of Australia, their cities, and suburbs, such as Runcorn.

Hence, you need not worry about finding a specialist, as they are just as qualified as you will find in a more populated city. You can look up dentist Runcorn on your preferred search engine to find a potential dentist near you.

Checkout 9 Foods That May Damage Your Teeth

Besides, prevention is better than cure, so here are some specific food and beverages you should consider avoiding to maintain excellent oral health.

1. Carbonated Drinks

Carbonated drinks, especially soda and sports drinks, are known to contain excessive sugar. They also contain acid, which contributes to the erosion of teeth and damages the enamel.

You cannot find a loophole in this problem by opting for sugar-free carbonated drinks. They might be low in sugar, but they don’t lack acidity.

Besides, many carbonated drinks contain citric and phosphoric acids, which can affect the enamel.

2. Dried Fruit

You may not be expecting dried fruit to be on the list, as they are generally known to be a healthy snack. Certain dry fruits such as figs, raisins, and prunes stick to the narrow crevices between teeth and can leave sugar to cause damage. You can avoid eating them to prevent your teeth from being damaged. But still, if you like dried fruits, brush and floss your teeth right after eating them. 

3. Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages can damage your teeth, as they dry your mouth and increase acidity, making you crave processed foods. Eventually, high consumption of alcohol disturbs the correct balance of oral bacteria, resulting in damaged teeth. Moreover, alcoholic beverages also contain substances that can develop mouth cancer.

4. Sweets and Candies

It is undeniable that sweets and candies badly affect your oral hygiene, causing cavities, tooth decay, and gum diseases. Some candies are hard and remain in your mouth for a long, as they take time to dissolve.

Many hard candies take around 10 minutes, which is neither good for your teeth nor your overall health. As a matter of fact, avoid sweets and candies, as they contain added sugar. Besides, whenever you eat them, brush your teeth immediately to prevent any buildup of bacteria.

5. Coffee

Some people find it challenging to start their day without caffeine. Many rely on coffee and believe it gives them the energy to function properly. However, coffee can damage your teeth if consumed excessively. Coffee contains tannins, which are also in tea and wine. The tannins have color compounds that stick to the teeth forming yellow stains. It eventually damages your teeth to a great extent.

If you want to avoid the hassle of visiting a dentist every couple of months, it is better to reduce your coffee intake. Also, brushing your teeth or flossing after finishing your coffee can help prevent tooth damage.

6. Starchy Foods and Refined Carbs

Refined carbs in staples, such as white bread and rice, whereas starchy foods, like potato crisps and crackers, can damage our oral health. Meals may be incomplete without them, but they elevate the risk of cavities as they contain added sugars and tend to stick.

Your tooth enamel may never be the same if you eat refined carbs regularly without brushing at least twice a day. However, you can find healthier, nutrient-dense alternatives, such as whole wheat foods and sweet potatoes, that can be great for oral and overall health.

7. Ice

Ice is seemingly harmless, considering it is frozen water. That doesn’t mean it cannot contribute to poor oral health. Some people consume ice in a solid form other than to enjoy chilled beverages. Often they bite or chew on it, which can pose more issues than what they are worth.

Since it is a hard substance, you might end up chipping your tooth, loosening the crown, or breaking it altogether. It can be a painful experience that you can avoid by only using ice for chilling your drinks.

8. Citrus

It has been concretely established by now that even healthy food and drinks can be a source of oral health deterioration. Lemons, oranges, and lemons are tasty and nutritious as juices and fruits.

They are high in vitamin C but contain acid content that can erode your tooth enamel. Also, they make your teeth vulnerable to cavities and, ultimately, decay.

However, given the health benefits, you cannot give up these fruits. You can eat or drink its juices in moderation, brush your teeth, floss, or gargle with water after consuming.

9. Tomato-Based Sauces

Tomato-based sauces, as the name implies, contain tomatoes to give meals a nice, tangy flavor that hits the spot. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with a side of enamel corrosion, as tomatoes tend to be acidic. The bacteria will feed on your teeth if you couple these sauces with carbohydrates, such as pasta, rice, or potatoes.

To Conclude

If you take care of your oral health and limit or altogether avoid a particular food, you can prevent damage to your teeth. The food and drinks discussed above can cause cavities, tooth decay, different gum diseases, and even lead to oral cancer.

You can follow a healthy diet plan that includes food rich in nutrition and helps maintain your oral and overall health. Moreover, you should also avoid skimping dentist appointments to ensure good oral health and prevent potential tooth damage, as explained on Budget Savvy Diva.

Read Also:

• Taking Care Of Your Oral Health In Your 30s
• Does Medicare Cover Dental Care Services
• 7 Things to Think About When Getting Tooth Aligners