5 Foods to Avoid for Enhanced Dental Health

5 Foods to Avoid for Enhanced Dental Health

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Your mouth, gums, and teeth are more important rather than being tools for eating. Your mouth is a doorway to your body. The entire digestive system depends on what comes through your mouth. 

It, therefore, means your oral health affects your overall wellbeing. No matter your age, the reasons for tooth decay and sensitivity are the same. Some foods can accelerate tooth decay. 

Below are foods you should avoid or at least limit for enhanced oral health. 

Candies and Sugary Drinks

Sugary drinks, such as soft drinks and fruit juices, are go-to beverages for most people. However, they’re not the best choice. Once you drink these beverages, the sugar bolts on your teeth. 

The mouth contains bacteria that feeds on the sugar that latches on your teeth. As the bacteria eat the sugar, it produces acid that eats away your enamel. It makes your teeth weaker and thinner. 

Oral health hygienists, such as Mona Vale Dental, advise people to consider other healthy options like milk or water. If you, however, indulge, rinse your mouth with water to flush out any sugar residues. 

Additionally, purchase mouthwash and toothpaste that contain fluoride, which is formulated to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce cavities. 

Citrus Fruits

Well, this might sound shocking, but it’s not. Grapefruits, lemons, and oranges are tasty and excellent sources of vitamin C. However, their acid content can make teeth vulnerable to decay and erode enamel. 

Squeezing lime or lemon into the water also adds acid to the drink. Acid from citrus fruits can also make mouth sores worse. So if you want to consume them, drink or eat them in moderation and rinse your mouth with water afterward. 

And when drinking fruit juices, use a straw to limit contact with your teeth. 

Apple Cider Vinegar 

You might have read articles about the immense benefits of apple cider vinegar. Well, it’s all true, but frequent consumption can harm your teeth. ACV (apple cider vinegar) is high in acidic content. 

Being formulated with acetic and malic acid, ACV has a pH ranging between 2.5 – 3.0. This low pH level is a threat to your dental health. When taking ACV, ensure you dilute it with water and use a straw so as to take care of your teeth. 

Reading the nutritional label helps you understand the content level and consume with caution. 

Wine 

This might have caught you by surprise. But both white and red wine are highly acidic. Too much acid is not suitable for your oral health as it can cause teeth to yellow and deteriorate tooth enamel. This also puts your teeth at risk for decay and bacteria. 

Pasta Sauce 

Tomatoes are healthy and make meals palatable, but they’re acidic. The acidic pasta sauce breaks down your tooth’s enamel while the carbs in pasta feed bacteria in the mouth that causes cavities. 

If you must eat pasta, try it with some cheese. 

The Bottom Line

Food that is not good for your teeth is probably not good for your health. Take care of your dental formula for improved overall wellbeing. 

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