What You Eat Can Damage Teeth

Did you know that what you eat not only affects your weight and health, but also your teeth? Your mouth is the portal to the rest of your body. What you put in it can determine how you feel throughout the day and even how you look. There are many foods and drinks that damage tooth enamel, and many people don’t even know it. Tons of food products are full of sugar that causes tooth decay and gum disease, while others are full of acids that erode tooth enamel. Find out what foods and drinks can harm your teeth and what you can do to protect your smile from damage!

Foods that Damage Teeth

Did you know that you can damage teeth with every bite you take or every sip of a drink you have? What you eat can say a lot about how healthy your mouth is. Many foods are full of sugar, which is the worst culprit when it comes to tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease. Other foods are acidic in nature such as citrus fruits and drinks and carbonated beverages. Many people can also damage teeth by chewing on non-food items (such as pencils) and opening up packages with their teeth, which can lead to dental emergencies.

When it comes to food, avoid the following:

• Sugary foods, which lead to lots of plaque and tooth decay. Limit your sugar to reduce tooth decay.
• Chewing on hard foods such as hard candies, nuts, ice, popcorn hulls and very hard vegetables. Cut up hard foods into small pieces if you must eat them or cook them so they’re soft.
• Limit citrus fruits, which are full of citric acid that erodes tooth enamel.
• Sticky foods such as taffy, caramels, dried fruits, candies, and other foods that stick to your teeth.
• Crunchy foods such as chips, which can lead to starch getting stuck between teeth. Floss extra well after eating these foods.

Drinks that Damage Teeth

There are also drinks that damage teeth very easily. Those include:

• Carbonated beverages, including sparkling water. Carbonation comes from carbonic acid, which is an acid that will erode and damage your tooth enamel.
• Coffee and tea. Too many people add tons of sugar to these drinks, which causes tooth decay.
• Energy drinks, which often are carbonated and caffeinated. Caffeinated drinks also dry out your mouth.
• Sports drinks. Always check the label to make sure your drinks aren’t full of sugar or you’re doing yourself a disservice.
• Alcoholic beverages. These cause dehydration and dry mouth, and reduce the amount of saliva your mouth makes. You need saliva to wash away food particles and to remineralize your teeth each day.

Habits that Damage Teeth

You may eat and drink right, but still end up with tooth decay and gum disease. What gives? You have to remember that you are hitting your teeth and gums with foods and drinks all day long. When you eat, sugars in that food or drink mixes with bacteria in your mouth to form plaque. That plaque sticks to your teeth and erodes away your tooth enamel. Eventually, your teeth will start to decay and your gums will become red, swollen and will recede. This happens if you’re not brushing and flossing several times a day. The American Dental Association recommends brushing and flossing at least twice a day to keep your mouth healthy.

If you’re not doing these two basic things, you’ll likely have tooth decay and gum problems. Both of these lead to infections and tooth loss if you’re not careful. If you drink carbonated or fruity drinks, wait about 30 minutes to brush your teeth. The acids in these drinks can take off a layer of enamel and damage teeth if you brush too soon. To recap: brush and floss at least twice a day, if not after every meal. You can add mouthwash and fluoride to your dental hygiene routine to reduce your risk for tooth decay even more. Limiting your sugar intake will also reduce the amount of plaque your mouth makes in the first place as well.

Preventative Dentistry

How do you know if you are doing things that damage teeth? Knowledge is key when it comes to knowing how to take care of your teeth and your body. The ADA recommends visiting the dentist at least twice a year to have your oral health evaluated. This is a time where you can receive a comprehensive dental exam and cleaning. These are two services that fall under the category of “preventative dentistry”, or dental services that help prevent oral health problems.

A comprehensive exam is when a dentist looks at all the hard (your teeth) and soft tissues of your mouth. Dr. Varley will look at your cheeks, lips, gums, tongue and all the your teeth individually to see if there are any dental abnormalities. An oral cancer screening is part of this exam, and is something that can save many patient’s lives with only a few minutes of time. We also take x-rays to see if you have tooth decay present or bite and alignment problems. A dental hygienist will meticulously clean all the surfaces of your teeth through brushing, flossing, polishing and more. This twice-a-year visit is amazing for detecting oral health problems and correcting them before they become severe issues.

Avoid Oral Health Problems

The best way to avoid oral health problems is to keep your teeth clean and eat right. Many people have cavities and problems with gum disease or bad breath and they don’t even know it. Visiting the dentist can make you aware of problems before they become major issues. You can call our office any time to ask questions about foods and drinks and if they damage teeth. Patients can also ask about habits that can improve their oral health. If you have any questions or need to schedule your dental check-up, call Stonebrook Family Dental today at (303) 872-7907!