Eating a healthy diet is key to maintaining good overall health. But did you know that your diet could also affect your dental health? Certain foods can be beneficial in maintaining a healthy smile, while others can do a lot of harm to the teeth. Listed below are some food types that you should avoid to maintain good oral health.

Sugary Foods

Consuming too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. The bacteria that produce acid in the mouth consume the sugar and produce acids that break down tooth enamel and cause cavities. When consuming sugary foods, it is important to brush or at least rinse out your mouth with water to help remove the particles that can lead to decay. Saliva helps to remove the food particles from your teeth and rinse them away from your mouth. When you do not drink enough water or eat enough healthy foods that can stimulate saliva production, the sugars can remain on your teeth, and then the bacteria can feed on those sugars and produce acid that is harmful to your teeth and gums.

Hard Candy

Hard candies are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to damaging teeth. It is not surprising that it is one of the most common causes of broken teeth and oral emergencies. This is because hard candy is chewy, sticky, and very acidic. The combination of these characteristics is both incredibly damaging to the teeth and difficult to remove from the mouth. If you eat hard candy, it is advised to rinse it out with water as soon as possible. This will help remove some of the sugar and reduce the acidity of the candy. However, this will not prevent all damage from occurring.

Another reason why hard candies are so detrimental to oral health is that the sugar gets stuck in between teeth which then becomes food for bacteria. The bacteria feed off of this sugar and release acid in response that wears down the enamel and leaves the tooth vulnerable to cavities. In addition to eating hard candy, it is also common for it to get stuck in between teeth, which may cause damage to the gums or lead to an oral infection.

Soft drinks

Some soft drinks contain high levels of sugar and acid that can wear down tooth enamel and cause cavities. Even diet sodas can cause problems because of the carbonation, which can cause erosion as well. Try to avoid these beverages or have them as an occasional treat.

Coffee and Tea

Coffee and tea can stain your teeth and cause discoloration. These beverages contain tannins which are pigment molecules that stick to your enamel and can discolor your smile. To limit the staining power of coffee and tea, drink them through a straw, so the liquid bypasses the teeth altogether. Also, be sure to rinse your mouth with water after drinking coffee or tea. Regular brushing twice a day with a whitening toothpaste can help keep stains at bay.

Dried fruits

Dried fruits are a great snack option, but they’re also very sticky and cling to your teeth, which can increase bacteria in your mouth and cause tooth decay. Some dried fruits also have a lot of sugar in them. It’s best to stick with fresh fruit instead.

Get the best dental services from the expert team of dental assistants led by Dr. Bipinjit Kaur at Tracy Arch Dental, Tracy, California. For more details and appointments, call us at (209) 820-0789, book online, or visit us at 1920 West Grant Line Road, Tracy, CA 95376.