Blog Post

The worst foods and drinks for your teeth

Manor Road Dental • January 16, 2019
Sweets

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.

Sugary snacks and drinks

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.

Citrus fruits

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.

Crisps

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.

Alcohol

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.

Box of vegetables
By Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd June 1, 2022
Ageing affects everyone over time, but the effects on your face can be reduced and held back. Here are some tips for keeping your face fresh and youthful.
Perfect white teeth
By Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd June 1, 2022
Brushing your teeth alone isn't the best way to better your oral hygiene. Here are some of the ways to improve your oral hygiene beyond brushing.
Lady receiving acupuncture treatment
By Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd June 1, 2022
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine that has grown popular in the worlds of dentistry and pain relief. Read on to find out more about how it can help.
Female vaping
By Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd April 27, 2022
Vaping is a relatively new phenomenon that has increased in popularity significantly in the past decade. Many use it as a way to wean off cigarettes but some people are becoming addicted to e-cigarettes at a young age. Smoking is widely recognised as a very unhealthy habit, causing gum disease, tooth loss, staining and even oral cancer, whereas vaping is considered a healthier alternative. However, how much damage is being done by vaping? Read on to learn more. Can vaping cause gum disease? While the effects of vaping are not yet known for certain, here is what we do know about smoking nicotine. - Nicotine causes vasoconstriction which means that your gum has a poor blood supply. Ultimately, this can make your gums more prone to infection and lead to gum recession. - Smoking will also dry out your mouth which means your mouth loses its first line of defence against bacteria. Gum disease is caused by bacteria getting under your gum line which is more likely if you have lower levels of saliva. - Generally, your immune system is lowered if you are a smoker which means infectious diseases such as gum disease are more likely to occur. What ingredients should you avoid? When choosing an e-cigarette fluid, there are some ingredients that have known negative side effects. These include: - Nicotine - Propylene glycol - Menthol It’s also worth noting that flavoured e-liquids can cause even more inflammation of your gums than non-flavoured e-liquids.  How can you minimise the side effects of vaping? There are ways to look after your teeth that can help reduce the impact of vaping on your teeth. These include: - Limiting nicotine intake. Try to pick low-nicotine or nicotine-free juices as nicotine will affect your teeth and gums over time. - Drink water every time you vape. This will help you avoid dry mouth and rehydrate you after vaping. - Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing removes plaque to help prevent cavities and promote overall gum health. - Floss before bed. Similarly to brushing, flossing helps remove plaque and promotes gum health. - Visit your local dentist often. Your dentist can help ensure your teeth are still in good condition and let you know when you need any work done. You can also get teeth whitening treatments to get rid of any stains. Need dental treatment or dental coverage from your local dentist? Manor Road Dental is located in Swansea and offers a range of dental services to help you stay on top of your dental health. If you notice any issues with your mouth or dental hygiene, get in touch with us today to book an appointment.
Person having acupuncture
By Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd April 27, 2022
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that has helped many people live healthier lives. Whether you experience TMJ or anxiety, here’s how it can help.
Poor teeth
By Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd April 27, 2022
Although dental care is important to ensure our oral health is as good as it can be, there are a few myths surrounding it that puts people off. Find out more.
Couple having a drink
By Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd April 5, 2022
Not only do healthy teeth give you a gorgeous smile, but maintaining dental hygiene can prevent issues. Discover the effects of alcohol on your teeth.
Mouthguard
By Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd April 5, 2022
Whether you play for your local rugby team, or your child enjoys martial arts or boxing, continue reading to discover sports which require mouthguards.
By Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd March 1, 2022
Having a consistent and comprehensive dental care routine is something that cannot be underestimated. Here we outline what makes a good routine.
By Manor Road Dental Practice Ltd February 23, 2022
What really classes as a dental emergency? It might be nothing to worry about but in some cases it can be drastic. Here is how to tell.
Show More
Share by: