Proper nutrition and dental health go hand-in-hand. Eating a balanced diet and properly brushing your teeth regularly can help prevent issues such as cavities and gum disease from developing while also giving you the energy you need to live a healthy, active lifestyle. At Broadway Family Dentistry, we work routinely with patients to help them understand the link between the foods they eat and the health of their smiles. Certain foods, such as acids and sugars, can eat away at natural tooth enamel and cause cavities or sensitivity. Other foods can be hard or sticky and can cause damage to the teeth and even dental restorations.
What foods should you avoid that can impact the smile negatively?
However, many people don’t realize that there are certain foods that can be particularly harmful to their teeth. Here are just some of the worst offenders:
- Sugary drinks like sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks. These beverages are full of sugar, which can feed the bacteria in your mouth and lead to tooth decay. If you must drink them, remember to brush your teeth afterward.
- Sticky sweets like candy bars and taffy. These treats get stuck in your teeth, which allows the sugar to linger and do its damage. If you can’t resist, make sure to brush thoroughly following consumption.
- Acidic fruits like lemons and oranges. While these fruits are healthy in moderation, their acidity can wear away at your tooth enamel. If you eat them frequently, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward.
- Crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery. These foods can actually be good for your teeth, but only if you chew them slowly and carefully. Biting down too hard or chewing too quickly can damage your teeth.
Request an appointment with our team at Broadway Family Dentistry
If you reside in the Minot, ND community or beyond and are interested in learning more about how the diet affects your dental health, call our office today at 701-839-1299 to schedule a consultation visit with Drs. Stanley Hirst and Bethany Jensen. Our practice is equipped to help with general, cosmetic, preventative, and restorative dentistry needs of our patients.
