When we eat any food, do we often think about the health of our teeth? No, of course, there are moments of insight when we try to split the shell of a nut with our teeth. However, our teeth need the same care as any other part of our body, so we shouldn’t forget about that.
Not all foods are beneficial. Even your favorite foods can be detrimental to your teeth and gums. Let’s find out which foods can harm the teeth.
List Of Foods Harmful For Teeth
1- Food With A Large Temperature Difference
No wonder they say that it will be stressful for the body if you put it first in warm water and then in cold water. The most dangerous for the teeth is the alternation of cold and hot. At first glance, harmless delicacy often leads to the appearance of micro-cracks on the teeth. Subsequently, through them, harmful bacteria enter the tooth tissue.
Tip: Look at your teeth in bright light. If there are cracks, see a hygienist doctor.
2- Alcohol
If you ever suffered from a hangover, you understand what morning dry mouth is. Alcohol often reduces the work of the salivary glands. This does not have a very good effect on the teeth. The saliva that normalizes the acid-base balance, washes away food debris, and is involved in the fight against microorganisms.
Tip: Avoid drinking alcohol. If you cannot do it yourself, get into a rehab center. They will help you sober up.
3- Plain Water
No one even realizes that plain water is harmful to enamel. Yes, but this does not concern the water itself, but the impurities in it. Ordinary water contains stones, scale, and other harmful elements. Regular water consumption with high fluoride content can lead to fluorosis and further damage to the enamel structure.
Tip: To avoid damaging the enamel structure, install a filter system, or drink bottled water.
4- Carbohydrates (Pure Sugar)
Carbohydrates include everyone’s, favorite sweets. Perhaps this is one of the most harmful categories. And it doesn’t matter at all whether you eat cakes, sweets, or jam. But, on the other hand, it is impossible to have a good mood without sweets.
Tip: So lovers of such doping need to rinse their mouth with clean water or brush their teeth immediately after using it. This way, you neutralize the harmful effect.
5- Coloring Foods And Drinks
All lovers of enjoying a glass of red wine at dinner should remember that it contains polyphenols that can ruin enamel. These drinks contain elements that can make your teeth yellow in color.
The same applies to the habit of drinking a record amount of coffee a day. Not many people know that coffee becomes the culprit for the formation of spots on the teeth and the darkening of the enamel. Even in small doses, coffee affects the tooth enamel.
Tip: After your morning refreshing drink, remember to rinse your mouth with water. Also, nutritionists always recommend drinking two glasses of water immediately after one cup of coffee.
6- Fruit Acids
We used to think that fruit is a source of vitamins. However, fruit acids are our hidden enemies! It is scientifically proven that acidic fruits destroy the hard tissues of the tooth. Citrus fruits are particularly aggressive.
They contain citric acid that can damage your teeth. But we are not talking about one or two oranges a day, eaten for dessert, but about eating them daily in kilograms. After eating an orange or grapefruit, brush your teeth. Otherwise, you risk cleaning off all the enamel.
This dentist who does oral surgery in Worcester also suggests drinking water after consuming acidic fruits. Doing so should help in neutralizing the acid in your mouth.
It is best to rinse your mouth out with water and not eat anything for 20-30 minutes. Thus, the acid will have time to neutralize without harming the teeth. Also, chewing gum will help increase saliva production, which normalizes acid balance.
Tip: Drink juices through a straw. These simple rules will not save your teeth 100%, but they will significantly reduce risks and diseases.
7- Dried Fruits
For many, dried fruits are a healthy alternative to various sweets. They do contain many vitamins and minerals, but they have a very negative effect on dental health. Sweet prunes and dried apricots can easily stick to the enamel, provoking enamel destruction and the formation of caries.
Also, almost all dried fruits have a high content of carbohydrates. They are partially processed directly in the oral cavity, moreover, with saliva enzymes’ help, which, with increased production, can destroy enamel.
Tip: To avoid this, try to brush your teeth after eating these foods.
8- Nuts And Seeds
It is recommended to be especially careful with nuts and seeds for those who already have dental problems. Due to their dense structure, these products can lead to chipped teeth and damage to existing fillings and crowns. If you are currently wearing braces, then eliminate nuts and seeds completely.
Tip: Try to eat peeled nuts and seeds.
9- Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks are extremely harmful for several reasons. The first is that they contain a huge amount of sugar. And it provides ideal conditions for bacteria to multiply in the oral cavity. The second reason is acids, which are also a lot in the composition of “soda.”
And carbon dioxide, due to which numerous bubbles appear in the liquid, only enhances their negative effect. Moreover, since the enamel becomes very thin due to acids, these same dyes easily penetrate it and change the teeth’ color.
Tip: Avoid these carbonated drinks, no matter how much you crave them.
Summing Up
It is not at all necessary to give up the above products once and for all. Everything is good in moderation. You should not go from one extreme to another. However, it is quite possible to limit yourself in the consumption of certain foods. The main thing is to follow the rules, not violate the oral cavity’s hygiene, and to visit the dentist every six months. If you start to notice some chipping or cavities, quickly get a restorative procedure — such as getting fillings done by dentists in Chattanooga.