Food and Drink Recommendations for Preventive Dental Care

When it comes to dental care and diet, most people know to avoid sugary foods. This is likely on many people’s minds, given the influx of candy in your home after Halloween. It’s true, certain types of sugary foods and drinks wreak havoc on your oral hygiene. However, it’s important to understand why. Educating yourself on diet and oral health can help you maintain your dental health for years to come.

Bad bacteria and acid production cause tooth decay

Understanding the role of bacteria and acid in the mouth is the key to understanding the relationship between diet and oral health. Everyone has bacteria in their mouth. Some bacteria cause acid buildup, which damages teeth. These bacteria thrive on high sugar foods and drinks. Interacting with the sugars, the bacteria form a thin, sticky film we call “plaque.”

In layman’s terms, if you’re eating a ton of sugar and carbs and not taking care of your dental health, you are fueling the bacteria and helping them build up in plaque, unchecked. This interaction produces acids, which are harmful to your teeth, including tooth enamel.

Foods and drinks that are bad for your teeth

There is no way to stop plaque from forming. However, exercising good oral hygiene and adhering to a good diet can help you avoid tooth decay. Avoid or exercise moderation when consuming any of the following:

Soft drinks

Soft drinks are terrible for your teeth for several reasons. Of course, they are extremely high in sugar. This means feeding bacteria and the massive acid buildup. Not only that, but soft drinks (even diet drinks) are naturally high in acidity. Excessive soft drink consumption will cause cavities, tooth pain, and other conditions.

Candies and sweets

For similar reasons, high sugar sweets and candies are bad for your teeth. Moderating how much candy you eat can go a long way in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. This includes desserts like cakes and cookies. If you have a sweet tooth, some people consider chocolate (particularly dark chocolate) as a reasonable sweet to consume in moderation, given that it typically washes away from the teeth quite well and is often lower in sugar. Speak with your dentist regarding the types of sweets which may not be overly harmful to your dental health.

High starch foods

Somewhat less obvious: high starch foods like potato chips and bread can have similar adverse effects. Carbohydrates break down into simple sugars, which cause the same ill effects mentioned above. Not only that, but starchy foods tend to clump and stick between your teeth, causing more and more damage the longer they stay in your mouth.

Alcohol

There are many types of alcoholic drinks. Some have more sugar than others. Others contain more acid. Dark drinks like red wine can cause stains on your teeth. Notably, heavy drinkers are at high risk for extreme tooth decay and tooth loss, given the acidity level in alcohol. Alcohol also reduces saliva, which (as discussed below) is extremely important for good dental care.

Foods and drinks that promote preventative dental care

Foods that are high in fiber are very good for your overall health, including oral health. Not only do they help to clean the teeth, but they are also typically lower in sugar. Further, high-fiber foods promote saliva production. Saliva is very important for removing food stuck in the teeth, reducing the effect of acidity, and more. Any food (e.g., sugar-free gum, dairy) or drink that helps with saliva production will positively impact your dental care.

Further, any foods or drinks high in fluoride will help restore and re-mineralize your tooth enamel. You may know of fluoride’s presence in toothpaste, but many foods and water are also fluoride fortified.

Request an appointment here: https://www.abbadent.com or call Abbadent Dental and Implants at (563) 556-8388 for an appointment in our Dubuque office.

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