5 Worst Foods For Your Teeth You Should Steer Clear Of

They say you are what you eat, and this is undeniably the case when it comes to your teeth, even more so if you don’t practise excellent oral hygiene. The foods and beverages that you consume on a daily basis will create a sticky film containing bacteria. Commonly known as plaque, this sticky film will produce acid that will erode and damage your teeth, eventually developing into teeth and gum diseases if early treatment is not given.

Apart from brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day as well as making regular visits to your dentists, you can take the extra step by making changes to your dietary lifestyle. We’ve gathered 5 foods that you and your teeth are better without.

1. Sour candies

It’s no surprise to see candies in the list, but sour candies, in particular, contain numerous different types of acids that can erode your teeth’s enamel, the outer surface layer of your teeth that works to protect it from tooth decay. There are at least eight different acids used in the making of sour candies, with the most common being citric, tartaric, fumaric and malic acids. As if that’s not bad enough, sour candies are also chewy and will stick to your teeth. If not removed, it will contribute to tooth decay. Instead of sour candies, you can opt for sour fruits such as kumquats and sour plums, as they will satiate your cravings without leaving much residue behind. This is especially encouraged for those who have ceramic braces and the like, since the brushing and flossing of the teeth can be rather challenging and painful.

2. Bread

Whilst it may be a staple breakfast to many, bread can be rather detrimental to your teeth! As you mechanically break it down through chewing, your saliva will chemically break down the complex carbohydrate into sugar, transforming it into a paste-like substance that will cling to the surface of your teeth. It will also slide into the crevices between your teeth, making it hard to remove with just brushing. If left alone, it will quickly develop into plaque, and eventually, cavities. As such, you’ll want to try to limit your consumption of bread and other types of foods high in carbohydrates.

3. Alcohol

Alcohol has been one of the emblematic beverages when it comes to unhealthy diets, mainly due to acetaldehyde as it’s been shown to be toxic to the human body. Besides, it also decreases salivary secretion, causing dryness in the mouth. This poses a problem as saliva is required to break down foods, washes the sugar out of your stomach and into your stomach, and stops acids and bacteria from causing damage, amongst many other things. Saliva even aids in repairing early signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral infections. Thus, it’s vital to keep your mouth hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day. 

4. Carbonated drinks

High in sugar, carbonated drinks can create plaque, which will produce acid to attack your teeth’s enamel. Diet or “sugar-free” drinks contain their own acids, which can also cause damage to the teeth. Each attack lasts for 20 minutes and will start over with every sip you take. Moreover, carbonated drinks will also dry out your mouth and leave stains that will discolour your teeth.

5. Potato Chips

Whilst they may be a tempting and enticing snack, potato chips are unfortunately loaded with starch, which will break down into sugars that can get trapped in and between the teeth. Acting as fuels for the bacteria, the acid production from potato chips will linger in your mouth for quite some time. As such, you’ll want to rid these trapped particles by flossing upon consumption.

Together with brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding these 5 foods will make your mouth and teeth happier. To further ensure your teeth and oral health are in their best condition, consult our experienced and adept in-house general practitioners and specialists for your regular dental check-ups. 

Here at Luminous Dental, we also provide proven orthodontic approaches like Invisalign dental treatment and self-ligating braces; anything to give you a perfect smile you’ve been yearning for. We take pride in providing quality treatment with minimal discomfort, so let us journey with you to achieve a set of pearly whites you’re proud of!