Preventing cavities and maintaining good oral health is partially dependent on the food choices we make. It’s no surprise that sugar-laden treats and processed junk food are bad for us, but they can seriously impede our oral health too. And while visiting the dentist can help keep ours mouth healthy, we can all up our oral hygiene game in between visits by avoiding these five foods that our dentists avoids too!
1. Sugar-Laden Foods
It’s no mystery that sugary foods aren’t good for our health, but they can have a seriously negative impact on our teeth too. Besides contributing to obesity, diabetes and heart disease, sugar eats away at tooth enamel and can drastically speed up decay. While you don’t need to disown sugar entirely, cutting down on sweets can seriously improve oral health.
2. Acidic Foods
High-acidity foods like citrus, tomatoes, pickles, fruit juice and even red wine can raise the level of acid in your mouth. When he acidity levels in your mouth rise, you’re more susceptible to enamel loss, tooth decay and cavities.
3. Sticky Foods
Sticky foods—think certain candy, raisins, dates and dried fruit—tend to get stuck within the tight spaces in our teeth. If we aren’t able to brush and floss right away, this lingering food can break down enamel and contribute to cavities and tooth decay. If you do eat sticky food, try to brush and floss right after.
4. Sugar Substitutes
Although cutting down on sugar can help protect your teeth, swapping the sweets for sugar substitutes could be just as bad. Sugar substitutes tend to contain other sweeteners like honey, molasses, cane juice, fructose and more—all which still contribute to enamel loss, decay and cavities. If you’re looking for a sugar substitute, opt for other options like organic stevia.
5. Low-Nutrition Foods
Indulging in the occasional junk food is fine, but if your diet largely consists of low-nutritional foods, your oral health will suffer as a result. When we consume foods low in nutrition, our immune systems have to work harder to fight infection and balance the minerals and vitamins in our bodies. As a result, our teeth become vulnerable to decay and cavities.
Call the Professionals at Daxon Dentistry
If you’re experiencing any oral health issues, don’t hesitate to see a professional. At Daxon Dentistry, we provide comprehensive dentistry services. Whether you need a routine cleaning or want to discuss enamel loss, we can help! To view all of the services we offer, click here, or schedule an appointment today.