Diet has a
significant influence on oral health, and some foods are much better for your
teeth than others. Diet is an important consideration for everyone, but you may
need to be especially careful when thinking about what you eat if you have
braces, have a high risk of developing gum disease or have missing teeth.
Here are 10 foods that are most likely to cause damage to your teeth.
Here are 10 foods that are most likely to cause damage to your teeth.
- Hard sweets: hard sweets are not
just bad news because of their sugar content; they also carry a risk of
dental injury and cause problems for people with braces. Orthodontists in Dublin will bear witness to the fact that biting
down on a hard toffee or humbug can cause major damage to a tooth. Eating
these sweets can also cause the wires and brackets of braces to become
damaged.
- Fizzy drinks: fizzy drinks are
acidic and they are often laden with sugar, which contributes to acid
erosion of the enamel and therefore increases the risk of cavities. It’s
best to stick to water, milk and diluted sugar-free cordial.
- Crusty bread: crusty bread is
harmful to the teeth as it can be hard to break down. Bread is also
starchy, which means that it is broken down into simple sugars that can
damage the teeth. Crusty bread can also cut the tongue and gums.
- Chewy sweets: chewy sweets can get
stuck in the pits in the surfaces of the teeth and they are packed with
sugar. Sugary foods cause bacteria to produce acids that erode the enamel.
- Wine: wine has a low pH value,
which means that it is acidic. Acids erode the protective enamel surface
of the tooth. Wine can also stain the teeth, especially red wine.
- Fruit juice: fruit juice is acidic,
and shop-bought products also contain a lot of sugar. Fruit juice is a
good source of vitamins and minerals, but you should always ensure that you
dilute it and drink it at mealtimes only.
- Apples: apples have a host of
benefits for oral health, but biting straight into an apple can be
uncomfortable for those who suffer from sensitivity. Apples are also
acidic, so it’s best to cut up an apple and eat it in segments to reduce
the impact of contact with the teeth.
- Crisps: crisps can be sharp, which
means that there is a risk of cutting the gums and tongue and they also
tend to get stuck between the teeth and in the tiny grooves on the tooth
surface. Left over bits of food can combine with saliva and bacteria to
form plaque, so it’s really important to brush regularly. Crisps are also
complex carbohydrates. This means that they can be broken down into simple
sugars.
- Meat: if you wear braces, you may
have trouble chewing meat and it can get stuck in the brackets and wires.
Braces are sometimes difficult to keep clean and any remnants increase the
risk of plaque formation. If you enjoy meat, it’s wise to cut it up into
very small pieces and cook it so that it’s tender, rather than tough.
- Biscuits: biscuits are many
people’s idea of food heaven, but they are a nightmare for the teeth.
Biscuits contain a huge amount of sugar and they also get stuck in your
teeth when you are chewing.
Oral health is
significantly affected by your diet, and eating the right foods can really make
a difference to the health of your mouth, teeth and gums. Watch out for sharp
foods that can cut your gums, sugary foods that can damage your teeth and foods
that can stain your teeth. Brushing your teeth up to an hour after eating is
beneficial to clear away food debris, but if you’re unable to get to a
toothbrush during the day, drinking lots of water will help to keep your teeth
clean.
Disclaimer: This article is contributed by a Guest Blogger. Ping of Health does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. Ping of Health disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
Disclaimer: This article is contributed by a Guest Blogger. Ping of Health does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. Ping of Health disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
