With all the health advice in our society over food and diet, what are the worst foods for the health of your mouth? You probably already know that diet affects your health but may be less clear on what dietary choices most affect your teeth. We wouldn't expect you to avoid all of these choices, but it is important to understand why some foods are "dangerous".
Starchy and Sugary foods
Starchy and sugary foods not only feed your body, they feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. The thin, sticky film on your teeth that we call plaque is bacteria and other materials. When sugars or starches in your mouth come in contact with plaque, the acids created can attack teeth for 20 minutes or more after you finish eating. These acids can erode your teeth's enamel, causing cavities and tooth decay.
There is sugar in places you would not expect, and is in most of packaged\processed foods that people buy. While it may not be possible to eliminate acidic and sugary foods, it is important to minimize sugar intake (especially refined sugar) as much as possible. It’s also crucial to not let sugar lingers in your mouth for a long time. So, brushing your teeth after meals or at least drinking lots of water is vital.
Examples of foods high in sugar are, soft drinks, candies, dried fruit, desserts, jams, and cereal.
Highly Acidic Foods
Naturally acidic foods will have the same effect. Examples of high acidic foods are lemons, pickles, tomatoes, alcohol, and coffee.
Examples of low acidic foods are bananas, avocados, broccoli, lean meat, whole grains, eggs, cheese, nuts, and vegetables.
Sticky and chewy foods create a large amount of debris that provides a fantastic food source for the bacteria in your mouth. And you guessed it, that leads to the acids that lead to problems. It’s vital to try to clean your teeth (flossing is best) as fast as possible and not leave sticky foods to linger in your mouth for hours.
Very Hard Foods That You Chew On
Many people have the bad habit of chewing on things like ice, hard candy, and un-popped popcorn. You need to be very careful with these kinds of foods as they can lead to broken teeth! So, do your teeth a favor and avoid chewing on hard substances.