Your diet has a big impact on your oral health. Even if you’re brushing and flossing every day, what you eat and drink can still cause problems for your teeth. Some foods are more harmful than others. They can wear down enamel, increasing the risk of cavities, and even leading to dental emergencies.
Dr. Sal Lotardo shares some foods that can do serious damage to your teeth, and why you should limit them or avoid them altogether.
Most patients know that chewy candies are bad for teeth because they get stuck in the grooves of your molars. But hard candy isn’t a better choice, and comes with its own risks.
For starters, biting down on a hard candy at the wrong angle can chip, crack, or even break a tooth. You risk having an emergency dental visit. Even if you don’t bite into it, hard candy dissolves slowly and coats your teeth with sugar for an extended period.
Harmful bacteria in your mouth feed on this sugar and produce acids that eat away at your enamel. This increases your chances of cavities, decay, and the need for dental fillings.
Dark chocolate is a better choice if you’re craving something sweet. It melts quickly, so it’s less likely to stick to your teeth. It also contains antioxidants that may even be beneficial for your health.
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes are packed with vitamin C. This vitamin is great for your immune system, but not so great for your teeth. The high acid content in these fruits weakens your teeth over time by eroding enamel. This can make your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold foods and more prone to cavities.
Brushing your teeth immediately after eating citrus might seem like a good idea, but it can actually make things worse. Since acid softens enamel, brushing right away can wear it down even more. Instead, rinse your mouth with plain water and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to protect your enamel.
If you love citrus, try eating it as part of a meal instead of by itself. This helps neutralize some of the acid. And always drink water afterward to rinse away lingering acid.
Fresh fruit is a great way to satisfy a sugar craving while still getting vitamins and fiber. But dried fruit is a different story. Dried fruit is more concentrated in sugar and loses some of its nutrients.
On top of that, dried fruit has a sticky texture. It clings to your teeth and gets stuck in hard-to-reach places. This can make it difficult to remove, even with brushing and flossing. The longer it stays on your teeth, the more sugar is available for bacteria to produce acid that leads to decay.
Stick to fresh fruit whenever possible. If you do eat dried fruit, drink plenty of water afterward and brush your teeth once enough time has passed.
Drinking alcohol in large amounts or frequently can be tough on your oral health. One of the biggest concerns is dry mouth. Saliva is essential for washing away food particles, neutralizing acids, and preventing bacteria from sticking to your teeth. Alcohol reduces the amount of saliva your body produces.
A dry mouth increases the risk of:
Heavy drinking is also linked to a higher risk of oral cancer, so it’s important to drink in moderation. Drink plenty of water when consuming alcohol, and try to limit sugary or acidic mixers like soda and citrus juices.
Water is one of the best things for your teeth, but not when it’s frozen. Chewing on ice is a habit many patients have, but it can lead to serious dental problems.
Ice is hard and unforgiving. Biting down at the wrong angle can crack or break a tooth. Even if you don’t damage your tooth immediately, chewing ice wears down your enamel over time. Your teeth become weaker and more prone to sensitivity, chips, and decay.
If you like chewing on something crunchy, try baby carrots, celery, or apple slices instead. If you chew ice because of a craving, it might be a sign of iron deficiency. Check with your primary doctor in cases like this.
What you eat and drink play a huge role in your oral health. Avoiding foods that weaken enamel, dry out your mouth, or feed harmful bacteria can go a long way in keeping your smile healthy.
If you have any concerns about your diet’s impact on your teeth, our team at Bella Smiles is here to help. We’ll keep an eye on your oral health and make sure it isn’t ruined because of your diet. Whether you need a routine checkup or advice on improving your oral health, schedule an appointment at our Nesconset, Riverhead, or Roslyn offices today.
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