Your oral health is crucial and you have heard it time and again that adhering to good oral hygiene like brushing, flossing and regularly visiting the dentist are absolutely essential for its maintenance. But one thing that we often end up not paying heed to in this regard is the food that we consume.
Yes! The foods that that you eat not only impact your overall health to a great extent but it also influences your oral health which is the first point of contact for them prior to entering the body and naturally it is reflected through your choppers.
There are many foods that can cause plaque thereby doing serious damage to your teeth. Plaque happens to be a bacteria-filled sticky film that contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. Apart from that, cavities and gum ailments also happen to be common effects of harmful food intake.
The next question now is what to avoid for preventing these conditions from wreaking havoc in your mouth?
Well, nothing to fret! Here are some of the worst foods that you should keep away from your diet in order to achieve a healthy mouth.
- Ice – For some people it is so much fun to crunch on the ice after gulping the last drops of an iced beverage that they just can’t do without it. In fact, they think that ice is good for their teeth as it is made of water and hence is devoid of any kind of sugar. But you should keep it in mind that chewing on hard substances can also damage the enamel and make the teeth vulnerable to the dental emergency.
- Dried Fruits – In spite of the status of “healthy foods”, the dried fruits including the dried apricots, raisins, dried apricots, prunes and the like are tough on the teeth as they stick to the crevices and deposit a lot of natural sugars through the process. All of the fruits contain natural sugars and after the water has been expunged the extract that remains behind is highly loaded with sugar. This extract is clingy and sticks to the teeth and thus traps the bacteria that produce acids.
- Citrus Fruits – The frequent exposure to the acidic foods can erode away the enamel which make the tooth more susceptible to decay over time. So even though just a squeeze of lemon can add the fun element to an otherwise bland liquid, it is not always advisable for your teeth. Citric fruits can also irritate the mouth sores and so you must ensure that you drink plenty of water afterwards.
- Sour Candies – Candies happen to be terrible for the mouth and this is something that we know ever since our childhood. But the sour candies are the worst of its kind. This is because the sour coating is full of acid. The sugary, soft, acidic mix washes and sticks to the teeth delivering a great opportunity for both bacteria and tooth decay.
- Bread – You should think twice before purchasing bread from the super market. At the time of chewing bread, the saliva breaks down the starches into sugar. The bread that is now transformed into a gummy paste sticks to the teeth crevices and that can cause cavities. When you are craving for some carbs opt for the less-refined varieties like whole wheat instead. These contain the less added sugars and are not easily broken down.
- Coffee – Apart form the standing effect of coffee on your teeth, this popular beverage also gives rise to an acidic reaction in your mouth. Over time, the continued exposure to this acid can lead to the decaying of the teeth. And if you add sugar or creamer to sweeten things up it will make things worse.
- Alcohol – Alcohol causes the dehydration and dry mouth. People who drink excessively can find that their flow of saliva is reduced over time which can lead to tooth decay and the other oral infections such as gum ailment. The heavy usage of alcohol also enhances your mouth caner risk.
The above are some of the worst foods that can destroy your pearly whites completely. Even if you have gone for a professional teeth whitening treatment that the advanced cosmetic dentistry has brought forth, it is essential that you avoid these foods in order to retain the effect of the same and maintain great oral health.
