Whatever your age, the causes of tooth decay are the same. Tooth decay occurs when you have plaque with bacteria that you add to your diet to feed on sugar, which can lead to cavities. Cavities are caused by bacteria that metabolize sugar and turn it into acid to dissolve the structure of your teeth.
Eating food that is bad for your teeth can lead to plaque and tooth decay. Below, you’ll learn what foods you should avoid in general dentistry Melbourne or at least limit to keep your teeth as healthy as possible.
Worst food for your teeth
Most people understand that exercise and diet play an important role in keeping them healthy. However, general dentistry Melbourne, do you understand how important a healthy mouth is to a healthy body?
Poor oral health can affect your quality of life by affecting your mental, physical and social well-being. How tooth loss, mouth infection and mouth pain can affect you: Certain foods can contribute to oral problems that can affect your well-being. Here are the worst foods for your teeth:
1. Sugar Desserts and Candy
If you need to have sweets, eat something that dissolves quickly in your mouth. Candy that stays in your mouth for a while, such as caramels, lollipops, hard candy and jelly beans, makes it difficult for your saliva to wash away the sugar. Certain sweeteners can cause tooth decay, including:
- Muffins
- Croissant
- Pie
- Pasty
If you can’t resist eating sweets, try eating them after a main meal rather than between meals. And if possible, brush your teeth after eating anything sweet.
2. Soft Drinks
Soft drinks, whether sugar-free or not, contain acids. They can damage teeth and cause cavities and tooth decay. Avoid soft drinks to help keep your teeth healthy. Instead, drink tea or water without sugar. If you drink soft drinks, avoid brushing your teeth right away because the acid softens the texture of your teeth, making them more vulnerable to abrasion.
3. Spicy food
Vinegar contains acid, which is important in the pickling process. This acid not only causes staining, but can also remove the enamel of your teeth. Most spicy foods also contain sugar, which is another contributor to cavities.
4. Wine
White and red wines contain erosive acid, which softens the enamel. Red wine contains compounds called tannins, which can dry out your mouth and stain your teeth. If you plan to drink alcohol, be sure to brush your teeth first. This can help reduce the amount of plaque to which the wine can stick. It is also helpful to wait 30 minutes after drinking to avoid brushing the wine acid into your teeth.
5. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits can be an important component of a balanced diet. But, when you consume plenty of it yourself, the citric acid in the fruit can strip your tooth enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to cavities. Lemon, lime and grapefruit, in particular, are highly acidic. When sipping juice, consider using a straw so that some of the acid can bypass your teeth.
6. Cookies
Cookies are net carbohydrates, and several studies have found an association between high net carbohydrate intake and body inflammation. Inflammation is a major player in various chronic diseases such as periodontitis and gingivitis (inflammation around the tissues that support your teeth).
7. Sports Beverages
Avoid salty, greasy liquids, such as some high-carb sports drinks. Not only is it acidic, but the thick fluid can stick to your teeth for a long time. Water is often best for refuelling after a workout.
8. Sugar
Whether it is brown sugar, pure white sugar or honey, it is still sugar. It is not usually important how much you eat but how often you eat. Sugar turns your mouth into an acidic environment, which lasts for a few hours after you consume it. If you drink or eat a little sugar every couple of hours, you’ll be constantly showering your teeth with acid, which can melt directly into your tooth enamel.
9. Pasta Sauce
Tomatoes are healthy to eat, but they are acidic. When you eat spaghetti with tomato sauce, it can damage your enamel twice as acidic sauce will damage your skin.
10. Apple vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known for its detoxification properties, but it is highly acidic and can quickly remove tooth enamel. If you drink apple cider vinegar, then instead of sucking water mixed with it, drink it in one go. Then wash your mouth and teeth thoroughly.
