The Worst Foods For Your Teeth

The Worst Foods For Your Teeth

31/12/2020

A well-balanced diet is the best thing for your overall health, but most people forget that this statement also includes your oral health. Many foods contain high levels of sugar that stick to your teeth and cause plaque, which over time damages your teeth and can result in gum disease.

Whilst we would never suggest that you stop eating all your favourite foods, we do recommend that you eat them in moderation and make sure that you brush at least twice a day and floss before bed to remove any plaque from on and in between your teeth. Try to avoid the following foods:

Sweets
Sugary sweets are notoriously bad for you, especially your teeth. Sweets have no nutritional value and are eaten purely for pleasure and as a treat. In particular, sour sweets are often worse for your teeth than other sugary sweets are they contain different types of acids that attack your teeth. We recommend swapping out sweets for a different type of treat like chocolate, which is much easier to wash away with water once eaten. If sugary sweets are your vice, make sure to brush your teeth after eating to reduce the time sugars are in direct contact with your teeth.

Bread & Crisps
You may not think that bread would be bad for your teeth but when chewed, your saliva breaks down the starch in the bread and turns it into sugar. The bread breaks down into a gum-like consistency and can easily get stuck in all the nooks and crannies in your teeth, which if not promptly brushed away can lead to cavities. The same can be said for other foods high in starch such as crisps.

Alcohol
We all like a drink now and again, but have you ever thought about what these drinks do to your teeth? Alcohol makes your mouth dry and when you don’t have sufficient saliva in your mouth to keep your teeth healthy and protect the surface of your teeth from sugars, it puts you at risk. Saliva has also been proven to repair very early signs of tooth decay and gum disease! When drinking alcohol, make sure you are still regularly drinking water and brush your teeth once you are finished.

Fizzy Drinks
Fizzy drinks are a triple threat to your teeth, as not only do they dry out your mouth but they also contain high amounts of acid and some contain dark colourings which can stain your teeth. To prevent damage caused by carbonated drinks, try to limit your intake and when you do reach for a fizzy beverage make sure you drink it with a meal to neutralize the acid. To avoid direct contact with the teeth, try drinking with a straw and drinking water afterwards.

Do you consume the above foods regularly and are worried about your teeth? Book an appointment with a Kettering dentist now.