5 Foods And Beverages That Can Damage Your Oral Health

Maintaining good oral health requires following a healthy diet and lifestyle habits. Certain foods and drinks you consume can bring about major dental issues, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Listed below are some foods that can negatively impact your oral health.

Spicy Food

Hot and spicy foods can irritate your mouth, leading to a burning sensation. This can cause inflammation of the gums or canker sores. Avoid eating too many spicy dishes if you have sensitive teeth. Instead, choose mild foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables to satisfy your hunger pangs.

Acidic Beverages

Highly acidic food and drink can erode the enamel on your teeth and even cause cavities. This is because acid weakens your tooth enamel and allows plaque to reach the underlying layers of your teeth more easily. Demineralization is another problem caused by acidic food. This is when minerals in the structure of your teeth are lost over time due to exposure to acids. This can lead to weakened teeth that are more prone to damage. Because these foods and drinks are so harmful, it is a good idea to limit your consumption of them. You can also rinse your mouth with water after consuming an acidic drink to dilute the acids a bit before they take effect.

Sports drinks

There are many different types of sports and energy drinks on the market. These beverages contain large amounts of sugar and acidic substances. They also tend to remain on the teeth longer than soda, and other carbonated beverages do. This can lead to tooth decay if the drinks are not thoroughly washed away. Rinsing with water or brushing your teeth after drinking a sports drink can help to wash away leftover sugars from the mouth and reduce the chance of cavities developing on them.

Hard candy

Hard candy is one of the worst offenders when it comes to damaging your teeth. A piece of hard candy can crack a tooth or chip away at the enamel of teeth, allowing bacteria to enter and cause decay. If you must eat hard candy, try to limit it to one piece per day and always drink plenty of water afterward to rinse any sugar residue from your mouth.

Soft drinks

The taste of soft drinks may be appealing, but it's not great for your pearly whites! These beverages are acidic, which wears away at your enamel and causes decay. If you must drink soda, use a straw to minimize how much you touch the teeth, and rinse your mouth with water immediately after drinking to remove the sugar that's left behind.

Visit Next Level Dental at 693 President Pl #101, Smyrna, TN 37167, to learn more about our dental services. Contact us at (615) 459-6354 or schedule an appointment online for any queries related to stress and oral health.