Top Seven Worst Foods and Beverages for Your Teeth

Food is fuel for your body, but it’s also an important component of good oral health. Certain foods can help you maintain healthy teeth, while others can damage your enamel. Eating a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables while limiting your sugar intake can help your teeth stay strong and healthy for years to come. On the other hand, when you eat foods that are high in sugar or acid, it can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and other oral health issues. Here are a few foods and beverages that are harmful to our oral health:

• Sugary Drinks

Sugary drinks are among the worst foods for your oral health. In addition to being high in sugar, soda and other sugary beverages also tend to promote tooth decay. That’s because bacteria in the mouth use the sugar in these drinks as a fuel source.

• Sticky Foods

Sticky foods and candies are the worst foods for oral health in general. Candy can get stuck between teeth and cause plaque buildup. Sticky foods can get stuck in between teeth, too, causing plaque buildup.

• Acidic Foods

Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and fruit juices, are extremely damaging to tooth enamel. The acid in these beverages erodes the enamel, exposing the sensitive layer of dentin underneath. Over time, the dentin will become so worn down that it causes sensitivity.

• Alcohol

Alcohol can be damaging to your oral and overall health. Alcohol is a drying agent, which means it increases your risk of dry mouth and inhibits saliva production. Saliva is your body’s way of naturally washing away food particles that linger in your mouth after eating. Without it, these particles can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

• Tobacco Products

Tobacco products are some of the most harmful foods for your mouth. They are loaded with chemicals, sugars, and acids, all of which can cause a number of health problems, including cancer.

Many of these products also contain large amounts of sugar and acid, which can eat away at tooth enamel, causing tooth sensitivity. In addition, the chemicals, such as formaldehyde, found in tobacco can also stain your teeth.

• Coffee

Coffee is one of the worst foods for oral health. It’s acidic and high in caffeine, two ingredients that lead to tooth decay. If you drink coffee every day, make sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward to remove some of the acidity and residue from your teeth.

• Sports Drinks

Soda and sports drinks contain a lot of sugar and acid. Both sugar and acid can erode enamel and increase your risk for cavities. Even sugar-free sports drinks are acidic. If you must drink a sports drink, drink it quickly and rinse your teeth with water afterward.

Please reach out to our dental practice from your nearest location to have a consultation with our dentist. You can call us or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.