General Dentistry: What Foods Should You Avoid?

It is widely known in general dentistry that some foods are better for the teeth and gums than other foods. Consistently eating foods that are bad for your teeth can, over time, lead to painful dental conditions that are often costly to treat. Fortunately, it is easy to avoid or reduce certain foods to lower the chances of developing serious oral health issues such as gingivitis, gum disease, tooth decay, enamel erosion, and receding gums.

What foods does general dentistry suggest you avoid?

Fibrous, crunchy fruits and vegetables are good for helping to naturally eliminate plaque and tartar on the teeth. Foods that are high in calcium, such as tofu, yogurt, and kale, provide needed nutrients to maintain healthy teeth. In addition to making sure you include those foods in your diet, there are many types of foods to reduce or eliminate.

Sweet and sticky candy

Candy is widely known to be bad for teeth, and for good reason. Most candy has a high sugar content, which is problematic because sugar attracts unhealthy bacteria that can lead to gingivitis and ultimately gum disease. Gum disease is a condition that causes the gum tissues that hold your teeth in place to recede from the teeth. Drinks like soda and juice, which contain large amounts of sugar and little nutritional value, should be avoided as well. Sticky ingredients in many candies also pose a problem for maintaining healthy gums and teeth. When something sticks to the teeth, it makes the particle more difficult to get rid of through natural saliva and swallowing and more difficult to eliminate via brushing and flossing.

Another reason to avoid or reduce the consumption of candy is the fact that many candies are hard, which increases the chance that you might chip or break a tooth by biting into the item.

Starchy foods

Like sticky candy, starchy foods such as bread, rice, cereal, pasta, and potato chips are likely to get stuck between the teeth and become difficult to expel. If you do eat these foods during a snack or meal, drink lots of water afterward and consider chewing a piece of sugar-free gum if you are unable to brush or floss right away.

Foods that dry out your mouth

Salty or acidic foods that dry your mouth out are harmful to your teeth because they reduce the flow of natural saliva that helps eliminate food particles from the mouth. Beverages containing alcohol, such as beer, wine, and liquor, are also culprits that can cause dry mouth. Consistent dry mouth can lead to issues like gingivitis and tooth decay, which are better to prevent than to treat once they are already a problem.