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Yes, your diet can affect your teeth and your oral health. The foods you eat can directly influence your bad breath, plaque buildup, and overall oral health. Some foods, for example, are high in sugar content. If you consume a lot of sugary treats, the bacteria in your mouth will feast on them. The bacteria will break down the sugar in the food and produce harmful acids as a byproduct. The acids will eat away at the enamel of your teeth, weakening the protective barrier. Your teeth could become more brittle and prone to decay. However, it is important to note that sugar is not the only culprit that can damage oral health. Read on to learn about a few foods and beverages that can affect our oral health badly. 

• Candies

Caramel, butterscotch, and toffee are types of candy that are not only sugary but sticky as well. These candies cling to your teeth, allowing bacteria to grow. Sticky candies can also pull your fillings off your teeth, causing further dental complications.

• Sports Drinks

Sports drinks usually contain high sugar content that will coat your teeth and erode the enamel. This can eventually cause cavities and tooth decay.

• Carbonated Drinks

Carbonated beverages can erode your teeth, and soda is one of the worst offenders. If you sip soda throughout the day or drink it through a straw, the saliva can’t wash away the acid. Even worse, many sodas also contain phosphoric and citric acids, which can attack your enamel. Energy drinks and fruit juices - all contain high levels of sugar, which feed oral bacteria. When the bacteria feed, they release acids that eat away tooth enamel. The acids can also cause tooth sensitivity and erosion.

• Alcohol

Alcohol can dry out your mouth, which can cause bad breath. Drinking alcohol also makes you more susceptible to decay because it lowers your saliva production. Some types of alcohol, such as red wine and white wine, can also stain teeth because of the presence of tannins in them. If you are like many people, you might enjoy a glass or two of red wine in the evening or with a meal. However, try drinking water or milk alongside your wine to rinse away the acid and sugar residue that could damage your teeth.

• Starchy Foods

Starchy foods, like potato chips, candy and sweets like cookies and cake, are some of the worst foods for oral health. These types of foods can stick to your teeth, which increases the risk of tooth decay. Starchy foods may also contain added sugars, which are bad for your teeth and overall health.

• Hard or Crunchy Foods

Eating hard, crunchy, and chewy foods can damage your tooth enamel. Over time, this can lead to tooth decay and tooth sensitivity. Hard foods can also break your teeth. If you must eat a crunchy or chewy food, try to either brush and floss your teeth immediately after eating or chew the item for a long time.

• Sticky Foods

Sticky foods can stick around in your mouth for a long time. This can increase the risk of tooth decay and cavities because your teeth will have longer contact with sugary foods. Sticky foods also tend to get caught between teeth, which can be difficult to remove with brushing alone.

• Dry Foods

Dry foods are often tougher to chew. They can also cause tooth sensitivity over time. Some foods, such as dried fruits, can be sticky and get stuck in your teeth. When eating dry foods, drink water to help rinse food particles off your teeth.

Get advanced dental treatments from Prescott Family Dentistry, Fort Mill, SC, by the expert team led by Jason Prescott, DMD, FAGD. For more details and appointments, call us at (803) 802-7878, book online, or visit us at 1860 Coltharp Rd., Fort Mill, South Carolina, 29715.