More Food That Hurts Your Teeth

2. Processed Carbohydrates

These include things like bread, potato chips, pasta and crackers. These are usually made from white flour which are broken down into simple sugars extremely easily thus acting like an ideal growth medium for the decay causing micro-organisms. In fact, these food articles can be equally as harmful as candy for the teeth.

3. Soda

This is probably one of the single worst things you can drink for the health of your teeth. All sodas (in fact most packaged drinks) are loaded with sugar and are extremely acidic in nature. This causes a weakenimng of the enamel of the teeth and boosts the pathogenic micro-organisms in the mouth. Even diet sodas, which do not have sugars that can be metabolized by the body, are extremely acidic in nature. These sodas also contain caffeine which reduces the salivation and dries out the mouth. A decrease in salivation is bad for the oral health since the saliva helps neutralize the acids and bring the environment back to neutral.

Sports drinks as well are also loaded with sugar to provide an immediate boost of energy. Some people substitute them for water and believe that they are better for hydration, however all that is just advertising. Chose a drink that is low in sugar and have some water alongside.

4. Citrus Foods  

These are not strictly foods to be avoided; however under certain situations they can worsen the strength of the teeth. Lemons, Tomatoes, and even oranges have a high content of citric acid in them which can wear away the enamel of the teeth. As an ingredient in various food articles there is absolutely no risk to the teeth, however there are some people who have the habit of sucking on lemons or eating a large amount of tomato and pasta sauce which can be harmful to the teeth.

5. Alcohol

Alcohol is a dehydrating agent and thus reduces the flow of saliva in the mouth. This allows the bacteria to release their enzymes and stick to the teeth with more efficiency than normal. Also, too much of alcohol intake is associated with poor oral hygiene habits and behavioral changes that further contribute to the occurrence of tooth decay. Certain medicines also have a dehydrating effect on the body.

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Conclusion

The increase in the amount of packaged and processed food is directly related to increase of incidence of tooth decay. Just a little bit of common sense and intelligent food choices can help decrease dental problems by a significant amount.