Having poor oral health has been linked to poor overall health. Eating the right foods can help boost your immunity and keep oral health problems at bay. On the other hand, some foods can damage our oral health. Here are some of them.
Many dentists consider sweet foods to be the worst for oral health, as these can cause cavities and tooth decay over time. This includes soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juice, candy, and other sweet treats. Unfortunately, these kinds of foods are not only bad for teeth, but they are also bad for our overall health as well.
Hard candy and sugary gummies can stick to your teeth and cavity-causing bacteria, causing tooth decay. Eat these treats in moderation for a healthy smile. The stickiness of gummy candies can also tear your gums, creating small nicks and cuts that can become infected. Your mouth is full of bacteria, and this infection can spread to other areas of the mouth if left untreated for too long. Choose sugar-free gum or hard candies without added sugars for the best oral health benefits.
Most candies contain sugar, which can cause tooth decay and cavities. Candies also stick to the teeth, which gives them more time to be broken down by bacteria in the mouth and produce harmful substances. The sticky nature of some candies can also attract plaque and tartar buildup. Sugar-free candy is usually a better option for oral health, but it still should be consumed in moderation.
Unfortunately, many canned soups are highly acidic and quite damaging to teeth. They have a tendency to stick to your teeth and gums after you’re done eating them. Starchy food can also lead to cavities because it introduces a lot of sugar into your diet. Consider soup recipes that include homemade broth or stock, which will provide more nutrients and antioxidants to your body than store-bought varieties.
Sports drinks are one of the worst things you can consume for your oral health. They are high in acid and sugar, just like soda! The acids in the sports drink can erode your enamel and cause sensitivity and cavities in your teeth. The extra sugar that can be found in the majority of these drinks can cause tooth decay and increase your risk of cavities. Additionally, the citric acid from the drink can also wear away at the protective surface of your teeth, called enamel. This can cause tooth sensitivity over time. If you choose to drink a sports drink, make sure you rinse your mouth with water after you are done drinking to wash away the sugar and the acidic properties that are left behind. Don’t brush immediately after consuming an acidic drink because it can wear away the softened enamel. Instead, wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth to allow your enamel to re-harden itself.
Many dried fruits are sticky or hard and can stay in your mouth for long periods of time. The sugars in them can also feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay, potentially leading to cavities. If you must eat dried fruits, try to drink plenty of water and rinse your mouth with water after snacking on any to avoid getting cavities. Some healthy fruits that you can eat instead of dried fruits are apples, bananas, mangoes, and berries. These fruits are easy to chew without irritating your gums, and they can help clean your teeth as you eat them. They also contain a lot of water, which can help flush out food particles and other debris from between your teeth when you rinse them after eating them.
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8275 Sierra Ave STE 102, Fontana, CA 92335
