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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry in Tinley Park, IL
Consider reducing or eliminating foods that are bad for your teeth and gums. Ask your general dentistry office if you have any questions regarding which foods might be beneficial to reduce or eliminate from your diet.
Request an appointment or call Tinley Park Smiles & Implant Dentistry at 708-675-7427 for an appointment in our Tinley Park office.
A broken tooth can be distressing, especially if you do not know where to turn when it happens. However, if a broken tooth is not an emergency, your general dentist can fix it in several ways. These professionals are skilled in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, which are important for repairing teeth.If the affected area has…
General dentistry aims to keep your teeth and gums healthy by educating you about proper oral hygiene and performing preventative treatments that protect against issues like gum disease and tooth decay. The American Dental Association recommends going to the dentist at least two times per year. These visits are used to evaluate the condition of…
Besides ourselves, one other person plays a highly important role in maintaining our oral health, our general dentist. You see, the dentist is responsible for much of the work that goes into our mouths, and without them, most of us would be at a loss as to what to do to protect our teeth, tongue,…