Foods You May Not Realize Damage Your Teeth
Posted on 11/16/2020 by Amy |
 The foods you eat can cause damage or boost the health of your teeth. Whether you eat healthy foods or not, you need to brush your teeth to prevent cavities. If you don't, the food debris will combine with saliva and bacteria to form plaque. If not removed, plaques harden into tartar, which eats away the enamel, causing decay. Sugary, acidic foods and alcohol are examples of foods that contribute greatly to teeth damage.
Sugary Foods
Processed foods and carbohydrates from white flour easily breakdown into simple sugars in your mouth, providing food for bacteria that produce acid. Sugar intake, whether in your tea or carbonated drinks, also provides these bacteria with food. Candies and dried fruits can stick in the grooves and depressions of your teeth, leaving behind sugar for bacteria to feed on. These bacteria produce acid, which erodes your enamel and cause tooth decay. To prevent damage from these foods, consider healthy options like whole wheat and complex carbohydrates.
Acidic Foods
Citrus fruits and beverages such as oranges, lemons, and grapes are nutritious due to their high vitamin C content. However, their high citric acid content can erode the enamel, making your teeth susceptible to decay. These acids can also cause painful mouth sores. Carbonated drinks are also acidic and enable plaque to release more acid, damaging your enamel. Thus, to prevent the impact of acidic foods on your teeth, consume them with moderation and drink water after consumption to neutralize the acid.
Coffee, Tea, and Alcohol
If you are a heavy consumer of either tea, coffee, or red wine, you risk tooth discoloration. Also, these beverages cause mouth dryness. A dry mouth is susceptible to tooth decay and oral infection. To deal with mouth dryness, drink plenty of water after consuming these beverages. Contact us today for more information on foods that damage your teeth.
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