How Diet Affects Dental Health

The increased need to visit dentists has been attributed to one key factor - the food we eat. In the 21st century, we have adopted diets that are not dental friendly. That is why you will see people going for tooth fillings, root canal treatments, etc. This is because some of the aspects of the foods we are eating tamper with the general health of our teeth.

What are some of the foods that are harmful to our dental health?

1. Sugary Foods

One of the greatest enemies of dental health is sugary foods. Almost everyone has a thing about sugary stuff such as cakes, cookies, candies, etc. Sugars are also found in some drinks such as energy drinks and sodas. Some foods such as canned fruits, cereal, some brands of spaghetti sauce, etc. contain high sugar amounts that expose you to tooth decay. Normally, when you eat these sugary foodstuffs, the bacteria in your mouth feed on the remnants left on the teeth, producing acids that cause tooth decay.

2. Sticky Foods

Sticky foods have also been proven to be harmful to your dental health. These include honey, molasses, and raisins. Starchy foods such as potato chips and bread also fall under this category. These foods are not healthy at all to our bodies or to our teeth. When you consume them, some remains stuck on the teeth surface increasing the risk of cavities.

3. Acidic Foods

We all know that acids are corrosive. Almost all foods and drinks contain some level of acid. This includes sodas and energy drinks. Some fruits - especially those that contain citric acid such as tomatoes, oranges and lemon - fall under this category. When you consume such foods, they affect the tooth enamel.

4. Teeth-Staining Foods

Have you been struggling with whitening your teeth at home? This is definitely due to the fluids you consume. Teeth-staining foods such as red wine, tea, and coffee  stain teeth when consumed regularly for a long time. These drinks contain color pigments known as chromogens that attach to the tooth enamel and stain it.

5. Inflammatory Foods

Refined foods and saturated fats are what cause inflammation. Inflammation is what results in unhealthy gums and loss of teeth.

Measures To Ensure Good Dental Health

• Keep away from sugary foods.
• Brush your teeth regularly.
• Use a dentist-recommended water flosser.
• Drink water after consuming teeth-staining substances such as coffee.
• Consume non-stick foods.
• Eat acidic fruits with something else to make them less harmful.
• Consume whole grains, vegetables, fruits, low-fat foods and proteins from lean sources.
• Eat anti-inflammatory foods.

Adopting such practices and avoiding the above-mentioned foods and drinks will reduce your endless trips to the dentist. Also, your personal dental hygiene plays a huge role in ensuring the health of your gums and teeth. Moreover, make it a habit to visit your dentist every three months for check-ups so the dentist can advise on diet change to maintain good dental health.

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Hi! I’m Ava Jones, Content Specialist from DentalDorks. We love a healthy smile and we’d love to spread it around by creating informative articles that help provide people with dental self care even outside of the dentist’s office.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.