What can they eat? Healthy alternatives for children with braces

You are what you eat: 10 Foods that harm or help your oral health

Brushing and flossing on a regular basis are great for one’s oral health, but there are still ways in which people can unintentionally harm the health of their teeth. Many people know that sugar is bad for the enamel of one’s teeth but may not realize there are other foods that can cause as much damage as sugar. In fact, foods commonly found in people’s diets are notorious for damaging teeth further.

Harmful Foods

Here are five foods that can cause more harm to one’s teeth than people may realize. As delicious as some of them might be, having an excess amount of these in one’s diet without proper dental hygiene can lead to plaque buildup and infection.

Candy

It is unfortunate that sugar may taste so sweet, but can wreak havoc on one’s teeth if left untreated. While small amounts of candy from time to time will not cause permanent damage, especially if one brushes on a regular basis, “the constant exposure to sugar can be harmful to your teeth,” mouthhealthy.org writes. While hard candies and other forms of candy are delicious, they can cause more harm than good on one’s teeth.

Citrus Intake

Surprisingly, too much citrus is actually harmful to the teeth. Mouthhealthy.org explains that “frequent exposures to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time.” While orange juice can be healthy, it can also damage the teeth in excess; especially when one does not brush or floss on a regular basis.

Dried Fruit

Dried fruits may be a better alternative than other junk food, but they are still a danger to one’s oral health. Like other sticky forms of candy and foods, dried fruits can linger on the teeth longer than other foods. For anyone with braces or for someone who does not brush his or her teeth on a regular basis, dried fruits are one food to avoid.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks may advertise low to zero calories and vitamins to “charge” consumers, but they may crank up the amount of sugar to keep a delicious flavor. The American Academy of Pediatrics explains that while “sports drinks can be helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged, vigorous physical activities,” they are “unnecessary in most cases.”

Potato Chips

Potato chips are a staple for many snacks and meals that people of all ages can enjoy. However, “potato chips are filled with starch, which tends to get trapped in your teeth,” mouthhealthy.org explains. After consuming potato chips, people need to be extra careful to brush and floss to remove any excess bits of food.

Helpful Foods

Even with the harmful foods out there, people can also eat foods that help keep one’s teeth healthy. Here are five foods one can use to enhance his or her diet for cleaner and healthier teeth.

Dairy Products

Mouthhealthy.org explains that dairy products are “low in sugar,” while they also “contain protein and are full of calcium.” Milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products can help to strengthen teeth opposed to more sugary harmful choices.

Lean Proteins

Mouthhelahty.org writes that “Phosphorus-rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, milk and eggs help to strengthen your teeth and contain valuable protein.” With plenty of delicious options for meals with lean protein, there are multiple ways for one to use lean protein to enhance his or her diet.

Vegetables

Certain vegetables, such as leafy greens, are “full of vitamins and minerals while being low in calories,” colgate.com writes. “Kale and spinach are also beneficial for oral health since, “They're high in calcium, which builds your teeth's enamel,” Colgate.com explains. Veggies are another great food to benefit one’s oral health and overall health during meals.

Apples

Not only are apples sweet in taste, but “they're also high in fiber and water,” Colgate.com states. Even the simple action “of eating an apple produces saliva in your mouth, which rinses away bacteria and food particles,” Colgate.com adds. Other fruits are also a great option to incorporate into one’s diet for healthier teeth.

Water

A simple and pure beverage, water is one of the best drinks for one’s teeth since it can effortlessly run between the teeth and remove food particles without leaving a sugary residue behind. Water not only hydrates an individual, but helps rinse the mouth out in the process.

Routine Dental Care

Routine dental care is important for a healthy set of teeth. While we can provide routine dental care during appointments, you need to keep it up at home through brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.

Oak Tree Dental

At Oak Tree Dental in McLean, we work to customize your treatment to match your needs and schedule where possible. Our professional staff aims to create a calm atmosphere for you during the appointment and treatment process. We will identify any dental issues you are struggling with and work with you to find the solution that works best for you.

Our staff seeks to create a comforting environment at the office to ease patients into the procedure. We can help prevent damage to your teeth and set you on track for a lifetime of quality oral health. At Oak Tree Dental, your dental health is our prime concern.