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Do you often wonder what the worst foods for oral health are? Here is a list of foods that are harmful to your teeth.

Sugary foods

While sugar is essential for a healthy body and life, eating too much sugar can have many negative effects on your oral health. When you eat something sweet, bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar and produce acids that attack your teeth for energy. These attacks weaken your tooth enamel, which then allows further decay to occur. Plaque can also accumulate on the teeth once the acid weakens the enamel, causing more cavities. Cavities cause sensitivity and pain to the tooth, so it's best to avoid foods that are high in sugar and stick to a healthy diet low in sugar.

Hard candy

Hard candies are delicious, but they aren't good for your teeth or overall oral health. The sticky texture of hard candy can get stuck between teeth and in the crevices of the mouth. If you eat a lot of these candies, you can develop cavities over time. Each of those tiny pieces has the possibility of getting lodged in the teeth and developing into a cavity. If you regularly consume hard candy, it can also stain your teeth.

Soft drinks

Soft drinks contain high amounts of acid and sugar – both harmful to your teeth. The sugar feeds bacteria on the teeth, which produces harmful acids that wear away enamel and eventually cause the breakdown of a tooth structure. Carbonated soft drinks can erode tooth enamel because of the high acidity of the drink. Even diet soda contains acid that can cause the demineralization of your tooth surface. Some sports drinks are acidic enough to cause erosion to teeth. 

Coffee and tea

While you may love your morning cup of joe or relaxing evening tea, both are full of acidic components that can be harmful to your teeth and gums. So next time you're enjoying your favorite beverage, drink it through a straw to limit contact between your mouth and the drink and rinse your mouth afterward.

Sports drinks

If you participate in cardio or strength training, it is important to stay hydrated to get the most out of your workout. Sports drinks are marketed towards athletes to replenish electrolytes lost during exercise. They contain high amounts of sugar, which feed oral bacteria and cause tooth decay. Water is always the best choice for hydration! If you need a flavor boost, add some fresh lemon, lime, or orange slices to your water.

Citrus fruits and juices

Citrus fruits and juices should be consumed in moderation because they contain high amounts of acid that can wear down tooth enamel over time. Acidic beverages can also soften the protective outer layer of your teeth, called enamel, and lead to sensitivity and tooth decay.

Dried fruits

Dried fruit contains a lot of sugar! The drying process concentrates the sugars in dried fruits because they are exposed to heat and air, which breaks them down into smaller molecules of sugar. This increases their sweetness and makes them more tempting to snack on. These sugars stick to your teeth and cause decay. 

To learn more, visit Dr. Ernie Soto at 10187 Cleary Blvd. Suite 103, Plantation 33324, or call (954) 368-626.