Worst Food and Drink for Your Teeth

Taking care of your teeth is something that is drummed into you from an early age. Your parents, your dentist, and teachers all talk about looking after your teeth, brushing twice a day and flossing. But, as we all know it can be hard, especially when some of our favourite food and drinks are a dentist’s nightmare. Here are some of the worst foods and drinks for your teeth:

Sticky Candy

It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that sticky candy and sweet treats aren’t particularly good for your teeth. Sticky candies that have a tendency to cling to the surface of your teeth, even if you brush them, are one of the most common culprits of tooth decay and damage, especially among people who eat them frequently. Caramel, gummy snacks, lollipops and cough drops made with refined sugar are the worst. If you just can’t curtail your craving for candy, choose something made with chocolate. Candy made with chocolate is less likely to stick to the surface of your teeth because of the oils and fat present.

Soft Drinks

Soft drinks that are made with refined sugar or high-fructose corn syrup are one of the worst drinks for your teeth, especially if you don’t brush your teeth for long periods of time throughout the day. Most soft drinks contain about as much sugar as a large candy bar, which can wreak havoc on the enamel coating on your teeth. If you absolutely must consume soft drinks, try to brush your teeth or use an antibacterial mouthwash or chewing gum that contains a cleaning agent like xylitol as soon as possible and try to limit the amount of soft drinks you consume each day.

High Starch Foods

Foods that are high in starch like potato chips and white bread have a tendency to become stuck in the spaces between your teeth. Flossing your teeth regularly can help to remove these particles of food, but if you aren’t always able to brush right after eating, a diet rich in high starch foods could result in tooth decay over time. Of course, you probably can’t cut high starch foods out of your diet completely, but choosing substitutes – like rye bread instead of white bread for example – could make a difference in the overall health of your teeth.

Alcohol

The fact that alcohol is bad for your teeth might come as a surprise to many people. However, alcohol actually causes your mouth to dry out, which allows potentially harmful bacteria to build up in your mouth since it can’t be washed away by your natural saliva. If you’re going to consume alcohol, try drinking a glass of water for every four ounces of alcohol to maintain the natural moisture in your mouth. Gum that contains xylitol or sugar-free cough drops can also be beneficial, so carrying a pack of gum or a few cough drops is a good idea.

Dental care is important and so it is necessary to make sure that if we want to eat or drink these things then we should do so in moderation. You can also ensure that your teeth stay clean and healthy by brushing twice a day, flossing, using mouthwash and visiting your dentist every six months. After all, everyone loves a nice white smile!

Bill Weston writes on a number of subjects including dentistry. You can find dental care services at http://dentist-direct.co.uk/