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Eating a well-balanced diet is important for a healthy mouth. Eating a variety of foods that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, and lean proteins is important for a healthy mouth. On the other hand, eating sugary foods, hard candy, soft drinks, coffee, tea, wine, sports drinks, citrus fruits and juices, crackers, and other snacks is bad for your teeth. Eating these foods frequently can lead to tooth decay and cavities, along with gum disease. Here are a few foods that can damage your oral health. 

Hard Candy

Hard candies such as lollipops and jawbreakers can cause chipped teeth or fractures when chewed on. The sugar in these treats can also feed the bacteria that live in plaque and lead to tooth decay. If you do enjoy the occasional piece of hard candy, be sure to opt for sugar-free varieties. Otherwise, make sure that you keep these treats to mealtimes rather than snacking on them throughout the day. Also, remember to brush your teeth afterward. 

Coffee and Tea

Caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea have caffeine that coats the teeth. This can cause stains over time and can be worse if you drink coffee or tea on a regular basis. The tannins in coffee can also make teeth more yellow. Tannins can also dry out your mouth and prevent your saliva from flushing away food particles that cause decay. It is important to wait at least an hour after drinking your coffee or black tea to brush your teeth. This gives the pH of the mouth a chance to rebalance and reduce acid wear on your teeth. Try to drink more water with coffee and black tea to help counteract the effects of these drinks.

Sports Drinks

When it comes to choosing between water or sports drinks, water is the best choice for your oral health. Most people don’t realize how much sugar is in sports drinks. The sugars in soft drinks can erode the outer shell of a tooth called the enamel. Sports drinks also contain acids that wear away your teeth’s enamel over time, which can lead to tooth decay. Once this happens, bacteria can enter the tooth and cause an infection. If the infection isn’t treated, then a root canal will be required to remove the infected tooth pulp from the tooth. So the next time you’re at the store, opt for something healthier like water instead of reaching for sports drinks. Your body will thank you for it.

Citrus Fruits and Juices

Citrus fruits are acidic and can soften tooth enamel over time. For example, limes and other citrus fruits may erode the protective surface of your teeth. Even drinking citrus juices regularly may be harmful to your dental health. So be sure to limit or avoid consuming these acid-delicious fruits and beverages!

The acidity in citrus fruit also can temporarily decrease the tooth’s pH balance. When this happens, your tooth’s enamel can be more susceptible to bacterial plaque buildup, tooth decay, and other oral issues. These fruits are also high in sugar, which can increase your risk for cavities.

Crackers

When you eat crackers, the starch from the cracker sticks to your teeth for a long period of time. This starchy film can produce acid, which can cause tooth decay. Instead of eating crackers, switch to healthier options like almonds or nuts, which are full of heart-healthy fats and protein, fiber, and vitamin E.

If you wish to learn more about our dental services, we are here to help you. Call our clinic, Samir T. Ayoub Dental Corp., at 16505 Clark Ave, Bellflower, California (90706) at (562) 925-2223 and book an appointment with Dr. Samir T. Ayoub.