Worst Foods For Oral Health

There are many foods that could negatively affect your oral health. Some of them are listed below.

• Hard Candies

Hard candies are very harmful to your oral health for a number of reasons. First, they are sticky and cling to your teeth. As the candy dissolves in your mouth, it leaves behind a sticky residue that coats your tooth enamel with sugar.

Sugar and the bacteria in your mouth feed off each other and produce acid as a byproduct. This acid eats away at your dental enamel and causes tooth decay. Beyond that, the hard candy can also damage your gums by irritating them and causing gingivitis.

We recommend that you avoid hard candies altogether to protect your teeth from harm. If you do enjoy these sweets in moderation, be sure to clean your mouth out thoroughly afterward so you can brush away the excess sugars and bacteria.

• Sticky Snacks

Candy, dried fruits, and other sticky snacks can easily get lodged between your teeth and cause tooth decay. It’s best to avoid sticky foods altogether whenever possible if you want to protect your smile. However, if you simply can’t resist a sugary snack from time to time, be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly afterward!

• Sugary Soft Drinks

Snacking on sugary soft drinks throughout the day may be refreshing, but did you know that these beverages can also wreak havoc on your oral health? The sugar and acid found in most sodas can weaken the enamel on the surface of your teeth, making them more vulnerable to tooth decay and cavities. Drinking soda regularly also puts you at a higher risk of developing periodontal gum disease, which is an infection of the gum tissue that can eventually lead to tooth loss. 

• Dried Fruit

Although dried fruit can be good for your health, it’s also sticky and high in sugar. Eaten in moderation, dried apricots, dates, or figs are another tasty snack that you can enjoy. But if you can’t limit yourself to just a few pieces at a time, you may want to reconsider eating them. Sugary snacks like dried fruit tend to cling to your teeth after eating. When sugar mixes with saliva in your mouth, it turns into plaque, which is a harmful film on your teeth that can lead to cavities and even gum disease. The stickiness can also damage your enamel over time and lead to discoloration. If you must eat dried fruit, try to eat it only occasionally, and be sure to brush and/or rinse after snacking to help remove as much sugar as possible from your teeth and gums.

On the other hand, fresh fruits should be your go-to choice for a healthy energy boost during the day. They are full of water and fiber, which helps to wash away food particles and sugar as you eat them. The high water content also helps to stimulate the flow of saliva in your mouth, which naturally helps to remove leftover food and bacteria from your mouth. The more balanced pH of fruit also helps maintain healthy tooth enamel. Just be sure to eat them as soon after they ripen as possible because sugars can stick to teeth and contribute to tooth decay.

• Sports Drinks

Many sports drinks include acids and sugars, which, when paired with bacteria in the mouth, can cause tooth decay. Sugary drinks can also increase your risk of cavities by damaging your teeth’s enamel and opening the door to plaque buildup. Your best beverage options while exercising are water, milk, or low-sugar juices like cranberry and grape. These drinks can help hydrate the body while also washing away sugars from the teeth and mouth. Water is the best option of all since it doesn’t contain any unhealthy ingredients that could damage your teeth.