Worst Foods For Oral Health

While maintaining good oral hygiene is imperative for overall oral and dental health, there are some food items that can cause some serious damage if consumed in excess. Listed below are the top worst foods for oral health. 

• Sour candies

Sour candies are a popular treat for kids and adults alike, but if eaten too frequently, they can cause major damage to teeth. The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar in the food and create the acids that eat away at your tooth enamel. Eventually, this results in cavities and tooth decay that will require restorative treatment later on. Be sure to brush and floss after eating sour candies, but wait at least an hour before brushing to give your mouth time to recover from the acidity levels of these candies.

• Bread

Bread is made from flour, which is typically high in carbohydrates and low in vitamins and minerals. When you eat bread, you consume a lot of starch in a short period of time which can increase the overall acid production in the mouth and result in damage to your enamel over time. The bacteria that live in the mouth love to consume the leftover starches in the food you eat. These bacteria then produce acids as a byproduct of their digestion. Over time, these acids wear down the outer protective layers of your teeth and lead to tooth decay and cavities.

• Soda

When you drink soda and sweetened beverages, the sugars and acids in them are also very harmful to your teeth and gums. The more sugar you consume, the more fuel you give the bacteria in your mouth to thrive and produce harmful acids. This can lead to an increased risk of developing cavities or gum disease. When you choose to drink sugary sodas, you are essentially feeding the bacteria in your mouth that can cause cavities and decay.

• Alcohol

Your favorite alcoholic beverage isn’t great for your teeth. It’s high in sugar and acid, both of which can harm your smile. In addition to harming teeth enamel, alcohol can also dry out the mouth and make saliva less effective at protecting against cavities by washing away bacteria. If you do want to drink for a festive occasion, consider rinsing with water after to help reduce the effects.

To help reduce dry mouth and keep your mouth moist throughout the day, try drinking water or chewing sugarless gum. This can also help stimulate the flow of saliva. There are a variety of specialty products available from our office that can help combat dry mouth as well. Ask your dentist if you’re interested in a product recommendation!

• Carbonated drinks

Drinks like soda and champagne contain carbonic acid, which wears away tooth enamel over time. Soda is especially bad for oral health because it contains a lot of sugar that also promotes tooth decay. When you have both sugar and acid in a drink or food, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow on the teeth. This can promote cavities and other oral issues. Also, keep in mind that carbonated drinks are acidic in nature, which is something that can weaken your enamel and make your teeth more prone to decay. This is why it is recommended that you stay away from them as much as possible if you have sensitive teeth.

• Citrus fruits

The acid content of citrus is high enough to wear away the enamel on your teeth. In addition to being high in acid, citrus fruits can be full of sugar as well. Excessive amounts of both sugar and acid can increase your chances of tooth decay. So, we recommend limiting your consumption of citrus fruits and also rinsing your mouth with water after consuming any high-acid foods or beverages. 

At Wedgewood Dental, we can help improve your oral health and give you the confidence to show off your smile again. Call s today at 1 (573) 368-7325 to book an appointment with us, and let us help you get your smile back.