Since everything that we eat or drink affects our teeth, it is important to minimize the risk to our oral health by eating a balanced diet. This means avoiding excess amounts of potentially harmful food and drinks, if not avoiding them altogether. Generally speaking, high sugar and highly acidic diets can be detrimental to your short- and long-term oral health. Both of these substances facilitate the development of cavities and can damage enamel.
What Drinks Are Bad For My Teeth?
You are probably not surprised to hear that sodas and other sugary drinks are at the top of the list when discussing drinks that are bad for your teeth. Sodas contain acid and sugar, two of the absolute worst things for your oral health. If you insist on drinking soda, consuming them through a straw can result in less contact with your teeth, but this does not eliminate the risk of damage.
In addition, juices such as orange juice pose a risk to your teeth due to the acidity. Alcohol is also a risky beverage because it dries out your mouth, which means less saliva. Saliva is vital for good oral health as it prevents food and bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
What Foods Are Bad For My Teeth?
One of the worst culprits in terms of food is candy, but specifically sour candy. Sour candy combines the dangers of sugars and acids, which are terrible for your oral health. In addition to candies, bread and potato chips are pretty bad for your oral health as they are starches that are easily broken down into sugars.
Avoiding consuming these items is the best way to protect your overall oral health, but practicing some moderation is a good step in the right direction. If you would like to learn more about the affect of your diet on your oral health, contact us today.
Since everything that we eat or drink affects our teeth, it is important to minimize the risk to our oral health by eating a balanced diet. This means avoiding excess amounts of potentially harmful food and drinks, if not avoiding them altogether. Generally speaking, high sugar and highly acidic diets can be detrimental to your short- and long-term oral health. Both of these substances facilitate the development of cavities and can damage enamel.