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If you are concerned about your oral health care, then knowing the foods and drinks that you should avoid can be a good start. Here is a list of foods and drinks you should avoid to maintain good oral health.

Sugary Foods

When we eat sugary foods and beverages, we can experience tooth decay. That’s because sugar is food for bacteria, which produce acids when they metabolize the sugars. The acids then attack tooth enamel, causing cavities. Cavities can then grow and lead to serious oral health issues.

To maintain good oral health, it’s recommended that you only consume sugary foods in moderation. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily. This will help remove food and plaque from your mouth, reducing the likelihood of tooth decay.

Hard Candy

Hard candies are made of sugar and corn syrup, which are some of the worst things for your teeth. The sugar in hard candy coats the teeth, providing the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria cause tooth decay and cavities, which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Gum disease is another consequence of consuming too much hard candy. When gums recede, tooth roots are exposed, leaving the sensitive part of the tooth vulnerable to decay. The best way to avoid these problems is to limit the amount of candy you consume. If you do eat hard candy, rinse your mouth out with water afterward. You can also try sucking on a piece of sugar-free gum to encourage saliva production.

Soft Drinks

Any beverages that contain sugar are harmful to your teeth. This includes fruit juices, hot chocolate, sports drinks, sweetened tea, and even bottled iced tea. Many dentists will advise patients to limit the consumption of soft drinks to no more than one or two a day or to consider switching to plain water instead. In fact, drinking soda can weaken your enamel and cause cavities because it contains a large amount of acid. The acid in sodas not only affects your tooth enamel but can also cause severe damage to your gums. This is why many dentists will recommend avoiding it at all costs.

Coffee and Tea

Although coffee and tea are both drinks that most people think are good for them, they can actually cause major damage to your teeth enamel. If you are an avid coffee drinker, it is important to be mindful of how frequently you have it throughout the day and how strong the coffee beans that you’re brewing with are. The more acidic the coffee is, the more likely you are to damage your tooth enamel. Additionally, when you drink coffee or tea, make sure to drink it through a straw so that you are not sucking on the hot liquid and, therefore, not putting as much stress on your teeth.

Wine

Drinking wine in moderation may be good for the heart, but excessive consumption can stain your teeth and cause other oral health problems. Alcohol may dry out the mouth and contribute to tooth decay. Its fizzy nature and acidic nature also can cause enamel erosion and make you more susceptible to tooth sensitivity.

Both red and white wines contain tannins that can alter the color of your teeth. Red wine also contains chromogens that can stain the teeth as well. The acid in white wine can also wear away at the enamel of your teeth over time, causing tooth sensitivity and discoloration. If wine is a staple in your diet, you should try to limit how often you drink it.

Citrus Fruits and Juices

Avoiding citrus or citrus fruits in your daily diet may seem difficult, but doing so can greatly reduce your chances of developing tooth decay. These fruits have high acidity levels that can wear away tooth enamel. The acid can also soften the protective outer layers of your teeth—which make them more susceptible to decay. If you do consume citrus fruits or juices, do so sparingly and be sure to brush and floss as soon as possible after eating. This will help remove the acidic residue from the teeth before they have a chance to damage them.

Dried Fruits

Dried fruit contains a lot of sugar and can be very hard on the tooth enamel. Once the sugar is absorbed into the mouth, it feeds the bacteria that is in the mouth, which causes plaque. Plaque buildup will eventually lead to tooth decay and cavities. If eaten in excess, dried fruits may soften the enamel on your teeth. This may lead to teeth sensitivity and increased risk of cavities.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are also highly acidic and contain lots of sugar. This can be damaging to the outer protective layer of the teeth and cause severe decay. Water is always the healthiest drink available and is the best for your oral health. While water doesn’t contain the bursts of flavor that sweetened beverages do, it can be flavored with fresh pieces of fruit instead.

Our team at Peak City Family Dentistry can offer you the best dental care in Apex, North Carolina. To schedule an appointment, call (919) 362-8797 or visit us at 200 W. Chatham St., Apex, NC 27502.