The Caesar may be the unofficial national drink of Canada. But did you know this classic beverage can harm your teeth?

If you are on a journey to improve your smile, you need to know about the top bad foods for teeth. That’s why we’re bringing you this guide.

Keep reading for the top foods and beverages to avoid for healthier teeth. Plus, we’ll discuss how eating a diet rich in fruits and veggies, dairy, and water may actually improve your oral health.

 

How Do Beverages And Foods Affect My Teeth?

Beverages and foods can affect your teeth in a positive or negative way. Some foods and drinks help clean your teeth and support overall dental health. But sugary and acidic foods and beverages can harm your teeth.

Acidic foods wear down your enamel, a process known as tooth erosion. Signs and symptoms of tooth erosion include:

• Sensitivity to hot or cold drinks and food
• Discoloured teeth
• Changes in your fillings

Sugar harms your enamel too, but in a more roundabout way. Sugar that gets stuck on your teeth mixes with the bacteria in your mouth. As bacteria consume the sugar, they produce acids, which cause tooth erosion.

Over time, too much acid or sugar on your teeth may lead to tooth decay. Tooth decay, in turn, can lead to cavities, painful tooth infections and abscesses, tooth loss, and even damage to your underlying jawbone.

 

Why Enamel Is So Important

Foods and drinks that affect teeth negatively take a toll on enamel. Enamel is the outer layer of your tooth. Its primary role is to protect underlying tooth tissue (aka dentin) from damage and infection.

Once you lose enamel, you can not get it back.

 

Drinks And Foods That Can Negatively Impact Your Teeth

Sugar and acid are common ingredients found in many processed drinks and foods. Here are the items to avoid if you want to maintain a healthy smile.

 

Acidic Foods And Snacks

Acidic foods can cause tooth erosion. But what exactly counts as an acidic food or snack?

Soft drinks are arguably the primary source of enamel erosion. There is a ton of research on the negative interaction between soda and oral health.

Anything that contains citrus fruit or citric acid will also be highly acidic. Sour foods and snacks are also likely to be harmful to your tooth enamel.

There are also some healthier food items that are high in acid. Tomatoes, for example, should always be eaten as part of a nutritiously diverse meal because of their high acid content.

 

Candy

People worried about improving their dental health should also steer clear of snacks with high amounts of added sugars, including candy.

Pay particular attention to candy and sugary snacks that also contain citric acid. Sour candies and candies with citrus flavours are like a one-two punch to your tooth enamel.

But if you really want to boost your oral health, steer clear of all food products with added sugars. Cakes, cookies, flavoured dairy products, and jams are all processed foods with high amounts of added sugars.

 

Alcohol

So, you don’t eat candy or drink sodas, but you are still dealing with tooth erosion. What gives? If you drink alcohol regularly, this habit could be the culprit for all your tooth problems.

Alcoholic beverages with high sugar content can have a direct effect on your oral health. Some alcoholic beverages have similar effects to sugary snacks.

But that is not the only way alcohol negatively impacts your teeth. Alcohol often leads to dry mouth.

With less saliva, bacteria may not get washed away while you are sleeping. This may increase the risk of tooth erosion and decay.

 

Coffee

Studies show that coffee can be good for our health.

Yet, you must balance the benefits of coffee with the potentially negative impacts this beverage can have on your teeth. Coffee is a highly acidic beverage. Drinking coffee can cause tooth erosion because of acid’s effect on enamel. Adding sugar to your coffee can compound this effect.

If you just can’t go without your morning Joe, there are a few things you can do to protect your teeth. First of all, consider drinking your coffee through a straw. The damaging acids will not make direct contact with your enamel.

You could also consider adding dairy to your coffee. As we will discuss next, dairy is good for your enamel. It may help neutralize the negative effects of acidic black coffee.

Last but not least, always rinse your mouth with water and/or brush your teeth after you consume acidic or sugary beverages and foods. This can help wash away bacteria and food debris.

 

Beverages And Foods That Will Help Your Oral Health

The impacts of food on oral health are not all bad. Incorporating the following items into your diet can actually improve the health of your teeth and gums.

 

Fruits And Vegetables For The Win

You probably already know that fruits and veggies are great for your health. But when you choose raw, fibrous fruits and vegetables, you are also doing something good for your teeth.

Fibrous fruits and veggies like celery, carrots, and apples can help clean your teeth. Fruits and veggies are also high in vitamins and antioxidants. These nutrients can help protect your gums and teeth from bacteria.

 

Don’t Skip Dairy

Dairy products may get a bad rep these days. But if you want to improve your oral health, don’t skip the milk.

Dairy products are rich in two minerals called phosphorous and calcium. And these nutrients can help repair damage to your teeth.

 

Water

Water has many positive impacts on your oral health. First, water washes away food debris stuck in your teeth. Second, water helps improve saliva production to prevent the negative effects of having dry mouth.

Many public water sources also come loaded with fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that can fight cavities and prevent tooth decay.

 

Takeaway

Bad foods for teeth include snacks and drinks that are high in acid and/or sugar. If you are trying to improve your oral health, focus on eating lots of fruits and veggies and drinking plenty of dairy and water.

Another thing you can do to keep up your dental health is to practice good oral hygiene. That includes scheduling regular visits with your dentist.

Are you searching for a dentist in Orleans, Ontario? We’d love to see you at Blue Haven Dental. Click here to book your first appointment today!