The 8 Worst Foods to avoid for your Teeth
They say you are what you eat. And in no better place can that be seen than in your teeth.
That’s because many foods and beverages can cause plaque, which does seriously damages your teeth.
Plaque is a bacteria-filled sticky film that contributes to gum disease and tooth decay. After you eat a sugary snack or meal; the sugars cause the bacteria to release acids that attack the tooth’s enamel. When the enamel breaks down, cavities can develop.
Cavities are the most common chronic disease faced by people aged six to 19 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.(CDC)
They cause complications like pain, chewing problems, and tooth abscesses. And if you don’t brush or floss your teeth, your plaque will harden and turn into tartar.
Tartar above the gums can lead to gingivitis, an early form of gum disease.
Try to avoid or limit the foods below:
1. Sour Candies
It’s not surprising that candy is bad for your mouth. But sour candy contains more and different kinds of acids that are tougher on your teeth. Plus, because they’re chewy, they stick to your teeth for a longer time, so they’re more likely to cause decay. If you’re craving sweets, grab a square of chocolate instead, which you can chew quickly and wash away easily.
2. Bread
Yes, your buttery or Jam bread can make your day spoiled. Think twice as you walk down the supermarket to buy bread. When you chew bread, your saliva breaks down the starches into sugar. Now transformed into a gummy paste-like substance, the bread, sticks to the crevices between teeth. And that can cause cavities. When you’re craving some carbs, aim for less-refined varieties like whole wheat. These contain less added sugars and aren’t as easily broken down.
3. Alcohol
We all know that drinking alcohol isn’t exactly healthy. But did you realize that when you drink, you dry out your mouth? A dry mouth lacks saliva, which we need to keep our teeth healthy. Saliva prevents food from sticking to your teeth and washes away food particles. It even helps repair early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections. To help keep your mouth hydrated, drink plenty of water and use fluoride rinses and oral hydration solutions.
4. Carbonated Drinks
We all know that little if any, good comes from soda or pop, even if it’s got the word “diet” on the can. A recent study even found that drinking large quantities of carbonated soda could be as damaging to your teeth as using methamphetamine and crack cocaine. Carbonated sodas enable plaque to produce more acid to attack tooth enamel. So, if you sip soda all day, you’re essentially coating your teeth in acid. Plus, it dries out your mouth, meaning you have less saliva. And last but not least, dark-colored sodas can discolor or stain your teeth. A note: don’t brush your teeth immediately after drinking a soda; this could actually hasten decay.
5. Ice
All it contains is water, so it’s fine to chew ice, right? Not so, according to the American Dental Association. Chewing on a hard substance can damage enamel and make you susceptible to dental emergencies such as chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, or loosened crowns. You can use your ice to chill beverages, but don’t chew on it. To resist the urge, opt for chilled water or drinks without ice.
6. Citrus
Oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are tasty as both fruits and juices and are packed with vitamin C. But their acid content can erode enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to decay. Even squeezing a lemon or lime into water adds acid to a drink. Plus, acid from the citrus can be bothersome to mouth sores. If you want to get a dose of their antioxidants and vitamins, eat and drink them in moderation at mealtime and rinse with water afterward.
7. Potato Chips
Who doesn’t eat potato chips, it’s always a great snack to beat hunger, the crunch of a potato chip is eternally satisfying to many of us. Unfortunately, they’re loaded with starch, which becomes sugar that can get trapped in and between the teeth and feed the bacteria in the plaque. Since we rarely have just one, the acid production from the chips lingers and lasts a while. After you’ve gorged on a bag, floss to remove the trapped particles.
8. Dried Fruits
Grand Maa always told us to eat dried fruits for a healthy living style. We likely assume that dried fruits are a healthy snack. That may be true, but many dried fruits — apricots, prunes, figs, and raisins, to name a few — are sticky. They get stuck and cling in the teeth and their crevices, leaving behind lots of sugar. If you do like to eat dried fruits, make sure you rinse your mouth with water, and then brush and floss after. And because they’re less concentrated on sugar, it is a better choice to eat the fresh versions instead!
So How To Fix This!
How can you prevent plaque from wreaking havoc on your mouth? Just Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing and visiting a dentist regularly, can help you prevent from teeth illness.
So follow this and smile like a shining star!
The writer is Freelancer, associated with Medical Profession ,working towards PhD in Healthcare Management.
