As delicious and appealing as they may look like, some foods are simply not your teeth's best friend. It is well known that what you eat affects your oral health. Our food choices affect not only our general health, but also the condition of our gums and teeth, as our mouths are the first point of contact for all the nutrients we consume.
Indeed, the effects of a poor diet are very often seen first in our mouth.
Foods or drinks high in sugar not only fuel our bodies with empty calories, but they can also damage our teeth in the long term. Let's take a look at some of the foods that we should also pay special attention to.
Sticky candy
The stickier it is, the more harmful it can be to your teeth. The danger is that they are harder to remove and stick to the necks of your teeth, allowing the bacteria that cause tooth decay to find a good environment to feast on the sugar.
Sticky foods
Dried fruits are also bad for your teeth because they are very sticky and have a concentrated sugar content. Opt for fresh fruits instead, as they contain less sugar and have more water and fibre.
If you do choose to indulge in some of these snacks, however, make sure you floss after brushing to ensure that you remove any possible remaining pieces between your teeth.
Crunchy snacks
There are good crunchy snacks, but also plenty of bad crunchy snacks for our teeth. Processed crunchy snacks, such as crisps, pretzels, crackers, popcorn, contain starch and sugar and can easily get stuck in the grooves of the teeth, leading to a build-up of bacteria and therefore cavities..
Hard candy & lollipops
Although hard candy doesn't stick to your teeth as much as, for example, caramel, it is just as harmful because not only is it full of sugar, it can also cause chipped or broken teeth. But if you really can't and do want to eat them every now and then, make sure you brush and floss your teeth right after eating them to minimise the impact.
Ice cream
A bit surprising, isn't it? Of course, being just plain water and no other additives, you'd think it would be totally harmless. Which makes sense, but the problem is its form, as chewing hard substances can damage tooth enamel. So, if you use ice cubes, use them only to cool and refresh your drink and avoid chewing them.
Acidic foods
Some foods and drinks, including fruits such as citrus fruits, are very high in acid and can cause tooth erosion. High levels of acids wear away the enamel that protects your teeth. Signs of tooth erosion include sensitivity or pain when drinking hot, cold or sugary drinks or yellowing of your teeth.
Try to limit the consumption of these foods and, if possible, eat them as part of a meal, not on their own. Also make sure you drink plenty of plain water after eating them.
Coffee is good, but not in all its forms
In its natural form, coffee can be a healthy drink. Of course, it is well known that coffee can cause stains, but this is more of a cosmetic problem than a health problem.
Coffee is also one of those drinks containing acids that can wear away your enamel. But as coffee is still a guilty pleasure for many of us, try lifting your mouth after your cup of coffee or eating a piece of cheese to neutralize the acid.
Another danger of drinking coffee is that in most cases coffee is not consumed "black", but with additions such as milk or sugar.
Carbonated drinks
These drinks are usually high in sugar and acid, a combination that is harmful to your teeth. It is the constant exposure to sugar (by sipping) that is particularly harmful, feeding plaque bacteria to produce acids and attack your enamel. Water is always the best choice when considering our fluid intake. But if you choose to consume them, drink a glass of water afterwards.
Alcohol - always drink with measure
Drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration and a dry mouth, which increases the risk of developing cavities. Not producing enough saliva can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections. Not to mention the fact that many alcoholic drinks have high levels of sugar and high acidity.
At first glance, much of what we consume in our modern lives can be harmful to our teeth. But to compensate, there are also many healthier alternatives. And if we can't help but consume them, at least try to reduce the amount and have strict dental hygiene afterwards.
