Most people might not think too much about their teeth. That is, of course, until something goes wrong. Then suddenly their chompers/gnashers/fangs/food smashers have their undivided attention. For many, it is not until we feel that pang or sting of pain that we stop and analyze the problem. By the time we feel pain, however, it might be too late.
Most people have a good sense of what food might harm their teeth, but it’s entirely possible that some of us ingest food as part of our diet and don’t consider too much the effects it has on our oral health. We have compiled a list of the best and worst foods for your teeth and other important tips to keep them in tip-top shape. We want you to avoid feeling that pain and take care of those chompers every day so they’ll be able to serve you well for many years to come.
Foods That May Be Harming Your Teeth
Health gurus always say that “you are what you eat.” This is also true for your oral health. If you are not careful about what you are chewing, you might pay the consequences for it later. So let’s take a look at some of the most harmful foods for your teeth.
Candies and sweets
So, this one will be no surprise. If you’re going to eat candy, however, stay away from those very sticky candies. If you require your finger or a toothpick to unglue the candy from your tooth, it’s likely a good candidate for cavities.
Anything with refined sugar will be a problem for your teeth. The ADA has shown that chocolate washes off the teeth more quickly. This might mean that the Hershey bar might not be as bad as those sticky caramels, but it’s still not highly recommended.
The chips and the starchy stuff
When eating untoasted bread, you may notice that it has a tendency to get stuck in the corners of your mouth. Foods that do this can be problematic. Potato chips do the same thing and have a lot of manufactured ingredients that are not very healthy for you or your teeth.
Your favorite soda drinks
That’s right. Most people are aware of the damage that sodas will cause to their teeth. These drinks are loaded with sugar. Even some sports drinks and juices will contain a high content of sugar that, especially in high amounts, can deteriorate the enamel of the teeth.
Alcohol and some medicines
Excessive drinking of alcohol and other drinks that dehydrate the body will also dry out the mouth. This tends to be a good sign that they might wreak havoc on your teeth as well. Alcoholic drinks can deteriorate the teeth. Although some alcohol has high sugar content, this is not the main reason that it is bad for your teeth health. The main reason is that it causes dehydration and dry mouth. Your mouth has a delicate balance and substances that mess with that balance will be problematic.
Vegetables and fruits with high acid content
While eating oranges or drinking orange juice every day might seem healthy enough, the high acid content can put your teeth under assault. If you eat enough of it, the enamel is eaten away and your teeth may become weakened over time.
Tooth-Approved Food
Fiber-rich foods and vegetables
Foods in high fiber are good for your oral health. In conjunction with consistent and good teeth hygiene, these foods are a good natural defense for tooth decay.
Dairy products
A glass of cold milk or a delicious piece of cheese stimulates the production of saliva. When saliva is produced, its traces of calcium and phosphate will help coat the teeth and protect against deterioration.
A Few Tips To Be Proactive About Your Oral Health
We hear most of the tips about keeping our mouths healthy from a young age and learn as we grow up and experience our first cavity or other consequences. It’s good to be reminded of some of the small things we can do on a daily basis to take care of our teeth.
Be conscious of snacks in between meals. We all love to snack and, for some of us, snacking is a part of our day if our work or school schedules prevent us from having designated lunch hours. Some people will depend on snacking to keep that energy level up. If this applies to you, be very conscious of the type of snacks you are eating and whether they fall under the good or bad category for teeth health.
Stay hydrated and drink water. Fluoride in the water can be a good protector against enamel decay. If you drink mostly bottled water, it may not have fluoride in it. Finding water that has good fluoride content can be a way to add an added bonus of protection to your teeth.
Having Tooth Problems? Lee Trevino Dental Can Help!
Sometimes no matter what we do and how careful we try to be, a cavity we’ll sneak its way into our otherwise healthy teeth. It’s nothing to be worried about. We’ll take care of your teeth as if they were our own. Come by Lee Trevino Dental and get the service you deserve!
