Sometimes, the most nutritionally sound foods and drinks can wreak havoc on people’s smiles. Even typically healthy foods, such as oranges, tomatoes, tea, dried fruit, granola, and even nuts have been known to spoil otherwise robust smiles when not consumed in moderation.
Luckily, a knowledgeable and spa like dental office are fully committed to educating patients on the ways in which common foods and drinks positively affect – or, in this case, negatively affect – peoples smiles. This expert dental office will even be able to replace the teeth people have lost, due to a harmful diet, with restorative dental implants in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
To discover the very worst foods and drinks for people’s teeth and gums, and how to restore those teeth with dental implants, read on.
The 15 Worst Foods For Your Teeth & Gums
While there are numerous types of foods and drinks that are harmful to people’s teeth and gums, the following are the particularly bad foods and drinks that people should avoid:
1. Soft Drinks
Perhaps unsurprisingly, soft drinks that are packed with sugar are a big no-no for people’s oral health. The copious amounts of sugar in these soft drinks form acids that attack the vulnerable enamel of the teeth. Unfortunately, diet or sugar-free options are not always the best alternative to sugary soft drinks and sodas. Diet options contain their own corrosive acids in the form of additives. Even carbonated water contains similar properties. Better stick to water!
2. Chewy Candies
Chewy candies, particularly the sour varieties, are on this list because they contain viscous ingredients that function like a glue, essentially sticking to the surfaces of people’s teeth. Some of the absolute worst candies for teeth that people eat include gumdrops, caramel, taffy, and chewy sour candies coated in sugar.
When people’s teeth are forced to interact with junk food like this, they are essentially jamming sugar between their teeth and onto their gum line. Chewy candies are especially difficult to remove with normal oral hygiene routines.
3. Vinegar
Believe it or not, vinegar of all varieties can hurt people’s pearly whites. This is because the common ingredient in vinegar is packed with acids that have been known to compromise the delicate enamel of teeth. Additionally, vinegar can heighten people’s chances of developing tooth decay and even tooth sensitivity.
4. Citrus
Similar to vinegar, citrus in all forms (grapefruit, oranges, lemons, etc.) contain high amounts of acid. Although the fruits are loaded with healthy properties, like vitamin C, they can absolutely damage the outer, protective layer of the teeth when they are frequently eaten.
5. Crackers
Though their nutritional labels might not say it, crackers made from white flour quickly break down into simple sugars, which could spell trouble for people’s smiles. When these types of sugars are stuck onto teeth, bacteria will begin to develop, causing tooth decay.
6. Wine
Wine – both red and white – are highly acidic. In fact, wine is so acidic that when people drink it frequently, it turns their teeth yellow and gradually deteriorates them. Some wine drinkers even complain of tooth sensitivity following a glass of their favorite wine. Unfortunately, because wine strips enamel, it can cause tooth decay down the road.
7. Pickled Foods
All pickled foods are soaked in vinegar, which can cause serious damage to the teeth. The acidic quality of vinegar is known to threaten the strength of tooth enamel, resulting in tooth sensitivity and even decay. Even worse, many pickled foods contain added sugars, making it very dangerous for people’s oral health.
8. Baby Carrots
Just like other crunchy foods, baby carrots, when chilled, can pose a serious risk to people’s teeth, particularly their front teeth. When baby carrots are refrigerated, they harden, which could cause chips, cracks, or even breaks in the teeth. The best way for people to avoid damaging their teeth with baby carrots, is for them to chop them up into smaller pieces or enjoy them at room temperature.
9. Nuts
Nuts, no matter the variety, can cause significant stress on the teeth due to their ultra-firm shelling and outer layers. In fact, biting down hard on a nut can elicit a splintering effect, causing fractures or breaks in people’s teeth.
10. Ice
Although ice is just frozen water, it is still one of the worst things people can munch on. Like nuts, ice can cause small – or even large – fractures and chips in the teeth, which can then lead to significant wearing of the enamel. Even worse, when the enamel begins to wear, the teeth instantly become more susceptible to decay when exposed to sugars.
11. Black Tea
Black tea can cause more staining than coffee because of its acidic, tannin-rich properties. When people drink black tea, it can cause permanent staining to their teeth that is hard to remove. People’s oral health becomes even more vulnerable when they add sugar or other sweeteners to their tea.
12. Dried Fruit
Dried fruit may seem healthy, but they are actually loaded with added sugars that can strip away tooth enamel. Furthermore, it has the same consistency as chewy candies, making it difficult for people to remove it from their teeth and gum line after it has been consumed.
13. Sports Drinks
As far as dental doctors are concerned, no sports drinks are good for people’s oral health! Like soft drinks and wine, sports drinks are filled to the brim with added sugars that create dangerous acid when consumed. Although people may be getting more electrolytes when they reach for a sports drink, they are also putting their teeth and gums at risk.
14. Potato Chips
Potato chips may be a favorite savory treat for many people, but they are anything but healthy. In addition to the high fat content, they also contain lots of starch, which turns into sugar when consumed. This sugar then gets trapped in between the teeth, endangering the health of the gumline and causing cavities.
15. Soy Sauce
While soy sauce may be relatively safe when it comes to enamel preservation, it is also known to cause stains, especially in the front-facing teeth. If people are worried at all about keeping their teeth as white as possible, it is best to avoid eating soy sauce.
What Are The Dental Risks Associated With Consuming Harmful Foods And Drinks?
If exposure to foods and drinks that can cause harm to teeth and gums continues, this can result in the occurrence of infected teeth or even tooth loss. This is because acidic levels can eat away or wear down the outer enamel of the teeth, which can be difficult or even impossible to regrow.
People’s teeth are vulnerable to the harmful bacteria from food particles that release toxins which can lead to gum disease. Untreated gum disease can cause systemic conditions that can be very serious and impact peoples overall health, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Why Should I Get Treated With Dental Implants In Fort Lauderdale, FL After Losing Teeth Because Of Harmful Foods?
Fortunately, there are reliable and proven dental implant options available to remedy teeth that are infected or missing due to overexposure to harmful foods and drinks. These dental implant options include single dental implants, implant supported dentures, or full mouth dental implants.
Dental implants are composed of three components: the dental implant post, abutment, and prosthesis. A dental implant is designed to function like natural teeth. Considered a long-lasting tooth replacement option, dental implants can restoratively replace any number of missing or infected teeth. With dental implants, patients will have stable teeth to talk with, be able to eat their favorite foods, and they will have the confidence to smile with them.
See Us Now So We Can Restore Your Smile With Dental Implants In Fort Lauderdale, FL
Now that you have a better idea of what foods and drinks to cut down on or outright avoid, we sincerely hope you decide to make the dietary changes that can boost your tooth and gum health. If you have any questions about general oral health, nutrition, hygiene, or more, you should come to our high-quality office.
If you have infected or missing teeth due to the effects of harmful foods and drinks, then you should get treated with restorative dental implants. Additional procedures, such as bone grafting or tooth extractions, may be necessary to get before dental implants are placed. Why wait to improve your smile with us? Get in contact with our exceptional team at our Smile Design Dental office to schedule an appointment today!