Certain foods and drinks can cause serious damage to the teeth.
It’s no secret that nutrition is key when it comes to one’s general health. The foods that we choose to eat play an important role in our overall wellness and sense of wellbeing. And, our oral health is no different — our dietary choices can have a significant impact on the condition of our smiles. Unfortunately, there are a number of foods and beverages that can cause serious damage to the teeth. Many of these contribute to the build-up of plaque, which can lead to oral health issues like dental erosion, tooth decay and gum disease.
So, what can you do to prevent these problems from occurring? Proper oral hygiene, which includes brushing and flossing your teeth, and seeing your dentist for regular check-ups, is essential, but it can also be helpful to limit your consumption of the worst plaque-causing culprits.
Read on to find out which foods and drinks could be damaging your teeth and are best avoided, or at least enjoyed in moderation only…
1. Alcohol
Alcohol can have some detrimental effects on one’s health, and can even impact the condition of your teeth. When you drink an alcoholic beverage, it has a drying effect on the mouth. Saliva helps to keep the mouth healthy by preventing food from sticking to the teeth and gums, and washing away leftover food particles. So, when your mouth is dry, your risk of certain issues, including oral infections and tooth decay, tends to be higher. If you do drink alcohol from time to time, make sure that you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water as well.
2. Fizzy drinks
Carbonated drinks, even those that don’t contain sugar, can cause some serious damage to the teeth. These beverages allow plaque to produce harmful acids that wear away at the teeth, and they also dry out the mouth. As well as these effects, many fizzy drinks can also lead to stains and discolouration on the surface of the teeth.
3. Refined carbohydrates
Many refined carbohydrates, such as bread, bagels and cakes turn into a pasty texture when they have been chewed. This paste can then get stuck in the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and feed harmful bacteria. Over time, this can lead to tooth decay and cavities. If you do enjoy eating bread, try to choose types that are less refined as these tend to contain less sugar and do not break down quite as easily.
4. Sticky and sour candy
Everyone knows that candy is not a healthy snack, but varieties that are sticky and sour are particularly harmful to the teeth. Sour candy is especially acidic and can wear down the teeth, while chewy candies tend to get stuck to the teeth, exposing them to sugars and acids for extended periods of time. If you are craving something sweet, rather choose something that can be eaten quickly and easily washed away with a drink of water — a small piece of chocolate, for example.
5. Dried fruit
Although dried fruits are often packed with nutrients, the reality is that many of them are quite sticky. This means that they can easily get stuck in between the teeth, as well as on the chewing surfaces, exposing the teeth to sugars. If you eat dried fruits that tend to be sticky, such as apricots and raisins, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth with water after snacking. This will help to get rid of leftover particles that could cause damage.
How can we help?
Dr Jaclyn Wong is a highly skilled oral surgeon who provides quality care and treatment to each of her patients. She and her team are dedicated to helping their patients maintain healthy and beautiful smiles for life, and an important part of this is providing the necessary information and advice regarding oral health and hygiene.
If you have a question about your dietary choices, lifestyle or oral hygiene routine and how these factors might be affecting the condition of your teeth and gums, we encourage you to come in for a consultation.
Dr Wong is happy to discuss your unique concerns with you in detail and to address any questions that you might have.
To arrange a consultation with Dr Jaclyn Wong, please get in touch here or give us a call on (03) 9028 2665.