Many people don’t realize it, but what we eat and drink plays a significant role in our oral health and the overall success of how our body and oral cavity work together. Our diet plays one of the most essential roles in maintaining healthy teeth, so here we discuss the best and worst foods to consume and how they impact your teeth.
Why foods contribute to tooth decay
Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent and preventable chronic diseases in the United States. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 21% of adults aged 20–64 years had one or more permanent teeth with untreated decay. Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria in the mouth feed directly on carbohydrates left behind from foods like soda, juice, fruit, candy, etc. When you think about what most people eat in a single day, most of our diets rely on carbohydrates. This indicates that unless there is a good oral care regimen, like daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing, there is an excellent chance of developing a cavity.
To prevent tooth damage, we must be conscious of the foods we eat and when we eat them. Typically, the frequency of carbohydrate consumption largely contributes to tooth decay. If you were to eat a big bag of candy, it would still be better to eat it in one sitting rather than grazing on it throughout the day.
The Best Foods For Your Teeth
One of the most common questions dentists get asked is what foods are healthy for teeth. Since so many foods are highly processed, it is always recommended to eat fresh foods like fruits and vegetables. But we often want to snack or indulge in something yummy, so if you’re looking for something more fun, try snacking on popcorn, yogurt, carrot sticks with a dip, or any air-puffed chip.
Dairy
Dairy-containing foods, like cheese and milk, contain calcium, which is beneficial for teeth because it promotes remineralizing properties. They are typically essential for pH, which is what we want to consume to avoid high acidity levels in the oral cavity.
Water
Water is always beneficial. It helps us hydrate and wash away foods and debris that damage our teeth. Drinking water helps stimulate saliva, which rinses away carbohydrates and sticky remnants of foods that participate in tooth decay.
Sugarless Gum
If you enjoy chewing gum like many people do, opt for sugarless gum. It stimulates saliva flow and helps rinse away harmful acids from foods. Many sugarless gums are also sweetened with xylitol, an alcohol that reduces bacteria and helps reduce the chances of tooth decay.
High Protein and High Fiber Foods
High protein and fiber foods promote a healthy metabolism and are also great for our oral health. Foods like grilled chicken and fish have high protein levels, and foods like spinach and vegetables are high in fiber and help stimulate saliva, which helps fight the acids that contribute to tooth decay and tooth erosion.
The Worst Foods For Your Teeth
Many foods and beverages are harmful for your overall health and oral health, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ever treat yourself. Below are the most common “worst” foods for your teeth, but if you decide to have a treat day, remember to brush your teeth, floss, and drink water regularly!
Sugary Beverages
Dentists always recommend decreasing the consumption of beverages like soda, energy drinks, and juice because while they may taste great, they contain high amounts of sugar and additives. Carbonated beverages like soda are highly acidic and can cause tooth decay and erosion of teeth.
Hard Candy
Candy contains highly processed sugar, which contributes to tooth decay, but it can also fracture or break teeth or crowns because of its texture. The amount of sugar that candy and sticky foods contain is harmful to your overall health and often leads to cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. If you need a sugar fix, remember that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends only 12-15 teaspoons of sugar daily. Most candy contains more than this, so limit your candies and sticky foods to a fun or special occasion when possible.
Coffee
Many people need coffee to get through the day, but when you go for your coffee each day, remember it is highly acidic and contributes to teeth staining. You may want to limit your coffee intake if you’re looking for a glowing white smile. Also, many people use added sweeteners that create an even more acidic and sugary beverage that contributes to tooth decay and bad breath.
Starchy foods
Foods like white bread, pasta, and breaded foods easily get stuck in teeth and then break down to carbohydrates. The bacteria in our mouth thrive on this, and starchy foods easily contribute to tooth decay. They may be even worse than candy and sugary foods, not because of their make-up, but because people consume starchy foods frequently throughout the day. Common foods like potatoes, breakfast cereal, bread, pasta, and potato chips should be avoided or at least limited in consumption.
Dried Fruit
You would naturally think that a snack with the word fruit in it may benefit your overall health, but dried fruit is often high in sugar content and can stick to your teeth like candy. Frequent dried fruit consumption can lead to tooth decay in the grooves where the dried fruit residue is left behind, especially interproximally, or between the teeth.
Conclusion
We should constantly evaluate our diets because the foods and beverages we consume highly contribute to our overall health, like cardiovascular and gut health. But they also highly impact our oral health. Consuming “worse” foods can lead to tooth decay, erosion, gum disease, and bad breath. It is okay to have an occasional slip or break in maintaining a healthy diet, but always remember to brush, floss, drink plenty of water, and visit your dentist regularly for a check-up to ensure your teeth are in the best shape! Contact Caldwell, Bills, Petrilli & West today to make an appointment.