What are the Worst Foods for Dental Health?

Louisville, KY

At the risk of being the bearer of bad news: It’s likely that some of your favorite foods and beverages are also the worst for your teeth. At our family dentist office in Louisville, the health of your teeth, gums and mouth are our top priority. However, not even we advocate for complete abstinence from the treats you love, even if they aren’t the best for your smile. But we believe it’s good to know some of the biggest threats to your dental health so that when you enjoy them in moderation, you know how to properly care for your teeth and gums afterward. Let’s look at the worst foods for your dental health — and how you can occasionally enjoy them with no lasting harm to your teeth.

1. Sugar-laden foods and beverages

We’re sure this one comes as no surprise. Sugar is the favorite food of harmful bacteria in your mouth that release acids and wear down your tooth enamel. That bacteria, void of strong oral hygiene, eventually turns into a film of sticky plaque that can eventually harden into tartar. This eventually leads to tooth decay and gum disease.

Our Jeffersonville family dentist lists a few of the biggest culprits here:

• Sticky, chewy candies, like caramels and gummy bears, stick to tooth surfaces, providing a prolonged source of sugar (food) for bacteria.
• Hard candies dissolve slowly, exposing the teeth to sugar for a prolonged period of time.
• Sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks and fruit juices have high sugar content and acidity, which lead to enamel erosion and cavities.

2. Acidic foods and beverages

Sorry, sour-loving people, but that sour sensation you love so much isn’t always good for your teeth.

• Sour candies are acidic, which breaks down tooth enamel, and also sugary. In fact, many of the acidic sour treats are also coated in sugar – a double whammy!
• Citrus fruits and juices like oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit can be healthy when enjoyed in moderation; however, their high acidity can erode enamel over time.
• Soda and sports drinks are incredibly sugary, and their high acidity contributes significantly to enamel erosion.

3. Starchy foods

Potato chips, bread and pasta contain starches that break down into sugar in the mouth and become lodged in the crevices of teeth. This fosters bacterial growth and plaque formation.

4. Alcoholic beverages

Spirits can be enjoyed in moderation, but alcohol can dry out the mouth, reducing saliva production. Saliva is necessary for washing away food particles and neutralizing acids in the mouth that lead to tooth decay.

5. Sticky foods

This one may surprise you. Dried fruits like raisins, apricots and dates are often considered healthy, but they are sticky and high in sugar, which means the sugar — like sticky candy — adheres to tooth surfaces and stays there until it dissolves. This leads to the teeth’s prolonged exposure to sugar, which promotes decay.

6. Hard foods

Chewing ice and hard candies can damage tooth structure, causing chips, cracks or breaks.

7. Coffee, tea and wine

These beloved beverages can stain teeth over time. If coffee or tea is taken with sugar, they can contribute to tooth decay. Wine and some teas are acidic and can wear down tooth enamel.

8. Carbonated and sports drinks

Sodas and other carbonated drinks are typically high in both sugar and acid, making them doubly harmful to teeth. Sports drinks, heavy in sugar and acids, can be just as harmful to your teeth as soda.

9. Vinegar-based foods

Pickle lovers, we’re lookin’ at you! Pickles and other vinegary foods have a high acid content that can contribute to enamel erosion.

How do I enjoy these treats occasionally and protect my teeth?

• Drink or rinse with water — A few swishes of water can help dilute any acids and help rinse away sugar from the teeth and mouth.
• Enjoy sweets only after meals — Saliva helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles in the mouth, and its production is highest during meals. Use that to your teeth’s advantage by enjoying sugar-laden treats only after meals.
• Chew gum — Sugar-free gum, especially if it’s sweetened with xylitol, helps saliva production. Gum can also help dislodge food particles from between the teeth.
• Delay brushing — Sugar and acid content in your mouth are highest just after enjoying a meal or treat, so wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth so you prevent brushing residual acid and sugar into the tooth enamel.

Family dentist in Louisville, Jeffersonville, and Shepherdsville, KY

Remember when you’re indulging — or not — that a strong oral hygiene routine is paramount to a healthy smile. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss once and be sure to schedule and attend two routine checkups and cleanings with us at Exceptional Dentistry every year. Call today — 888-918-3336 — to schedule your appointment.