
There will always be advice and warnings on what foods you should and shouldn’t be eating. From obesity and congestion to health problems with your internal organs, personal health is no joke. But more than this, some food and drinks can begin to affect your appearance and general well-being - this includes your teeth. Here, we discuss the worst food and drink for your teeth and how it can affect them.
As well as being generally bad for your body and insides, sugar is one of the worst things for teeth. Sugar is the ultimate culprit when it comes to tooth decay as bacteria (or plaque) absolutely loves sugar; it spends time feeding on it and begins to produce acids that can deteriorate enamel. Sweets and chocolate, for example, can coat or get stuck between your teeth as well as sugary drinks such as coca-cola, iced tea or fruit juice. Carbonated drinks (also known as soda or fizzy drinks) represent a triple threat, even if they’re labelled as “diet”. As well as helping towards tooth decay because they’re sugary, they can also stain teeth and make the mouth dry.
Fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits are an amazing source of vitamin C and are generally recognised as positive foods for your body. However, the acidic pH levels of these citrus fruits can negatively affect teeth, making them prone to enamel erosion and vulnerable to decay. That’s not to say you should avoid eating them, but if you do, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterwards to wash away or dilute any acid.
There’s no denying that crisps are the perfect snack for being on the go or relaxing in front of the television; they are incredibly moreish - once you start, you just can’t stop. However, potato crisps can get stuck and set up camp in between your teeth. This can be difficult to shift and the acids can spend time attacking the enamel of your teeth. This is particularly relevant in salt and vinegar crisps.
If you’re on a night out to celebrate a promotion or life event, obviously you want to be free to have fun and let loose with a drink or three. However, when you drink alcohol, your mouth dries out quickly, which is one of the reasons why you desperately crave water the next day. A dry mouth means a lack of saliva which is essential to maintain a healthy mouth. The sugar content in alcohol, such as fruity ciders and cocktails, can also begin to damage your teeth. Indulge now and then, of course, but try and drink some water where you can, or else when you get home.
As experts in dental care, we can offer advice when it comes to taking care of your mouth. Ensure your enamel remains intact, you don’t have any tooth decay, and consider getting a checkup at our dental practice in Swansea. Contact us at Manor Road Dental Practice for more information on our private dental care.