When it comes to eating healthy, we all know there are bad foods. Did you know, though, that there are many foods that are, specifically, bad for your teeth? Many foods and beverages cause plaque, which can do some really serious damage to your teeth, including gum disease and tooth decay, neither of which are things you ever want to have to deal with. We are here to provide you with a guide of common foods that are bad for your teeth. This is all a part of our goal to help you achieve the healthiest teeth possible.
So, to avoid cavities and other damage to your teeth, stay away from these foods and beverages, or at least limit your consumption of them.
- Sour candy shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, it is candy. Sour candy, specifically though, has a variety of acids that are very bad for your teeth and can be tougher on them than normal candies. The fact that they are chewy isn’t helpful either, since that means they stick to your teeth longer, allowing for even more damage.
- While it tends to be a staple in most people’s diets, bread is also very bad for your teeth. As you chew, your saliva breaks the starches down into sugar. Once this happens and it is transformed into a paste-like substance, the bread will then stick to crevices in between teeth. Since we know this is an important part of many diets, aim for whole wheat breads which are less likely to cause so much damage.
- Alcohol is another big one, unfortunately. Alcohol is known to cause dry mouth. This means that your mouth doesn’t have much saliva in it, which is very important to keeping your teeth healthy. Saliva keeps food from sticking to your teeth and also washes away food particles. Make sure to drink lots of water to stay hydrated and also use fluoride rinses.
- Carbonated beverages, although very popular and tasty, are also incredibly damaging. Even “diet” sodas are damaging, no matter how appealing companies try to make them seem. Drinking large quantities has even been shown to be as damaging to your teeth as methamphetamines and crack cocaine. Now, no one wants that, do they? Drinking soda is essentially like coating your teeth in acid.
While it can be hard, limiting your consumption of these foods and beverages, as well as others like them, can be vital to keeping your mouth as healthy and happy as can be.
Heckman Dental
is here to help you achieve the best smile possible. We are committed to providing our clients with the best dental experience possible. Even if you aren’t coming in for a visit, we also offer plenty of advice on how to properly care for your teeth and keep them healthy for a long time. Conveniently located in Nicholasville, Kentucky, we proudly provide dental services to all of Lexington, Lancaster, and Danville, Kentucky, as well as Jessamine and Garrard County. Established in 2013, our team is experienced and is sure to provide you with the services you need at an affordable cost. We are happy to treat patients of all ages. You can expect all the comfort and care that we know you deserve.
