Aldershot dentist highlights five foods to avoid and alternatives that promote good tooth care

It’s no secret that daily brushing and flossing, along with regular dental care, are two crucial steps to keeping your teeth healthy, but it doesn’t stop there. What you eat also plays an important role in oral health. At Dentistry at LaSalle in Aldershot, ON, we believe that an important part of our role as dental professionals is to provide our patients with the information and tools to make healthy choices. We’ve compiled a list of the five worst foods for your teeth and followed it up with some healthy alternatives that promote good tooth care. Of course, we think it’s important to note that we believe in moderation. There’s nothing wrong with a little indulgence every once in a while if you are practicing healthy habits the majority of the time.

The impact of food on teeth

Your teeth require nutrients to be healthy and thrive. Foods that are nutrient-dense are great choices to strengthen enamel and promote gum health. Crunchy, nutritious foods are beneficial in boosting saliva production and preventing decay. However, other foods and drinks can eat away at enamel and increase the risk of decay.

The Worst List: The top five offenders

Acidic foods

Acids found in citrus, sodas, and other foods and beverages are notorious for eroding tooth enamel and causing irreversible damage.

What does this mean for you?

For starters, if you start every morning off with a glass of orange juice, it may be time to change up the routine. If you can’t, consider using a straw and/or drinking it quickly all at once to minimize the amount of time the teeth are exposed to acid. The same guidelines apply to sodas. Brush or rinse your teeth after consuming citrus juices or sodas.

White bread

White bread has very little nutritional value to begin with since it’s basically full of refined carbohydrates, but to top it off, it’s also bad for your teeth. Pieces of white bread are full of sugars and notorious for getting stuck between the teeth, which can create a haven for bacteria and lead to tooth decay.

What does this mean for you?

Try switching to a sprouted grain bread whenever possible, which has nutritional grains, seeds, and nuts to break down the enzymes that erode tooth enamel.

Sports drinks

Similar to sodas, sports drinks are full of sugar, which eats away at the enamel and promotes bacterial growth. Even more troubling, many sports drinks also contain high levels of acid, which further damages the teeth.

What does this mean for you?

It’s best to stick with water. Unless you are an elite athlete, the best form of hydration for your body and your teeth is plain H₂0.

Ice

At first glass, ice sounds harmless because it’s made of water, but chewing on ice can lead to chipped or cracked teeth, and even damage to restorations such as crowns.

What does this mean for you?

Only use ice for cooling down beverages, and do not chew on it. If you have trouble resisting the urge to chew on ice, consider chilled drinks without ice.

Alcohol

It’s no surprise that alcohol isn’t healthy, but you may not have known that it can also impact your oral health. Alcohol dries out the mouth, leading to less saliva. Saliva is an important part of oral health and is responsible for preventing food particles and bacteria from sticking to the teeth.

What does this mean for you?

Try to minimize alcohol intake and continue to drink plenty of water to keep the mouth hydrated.

The Yes List: Foods good for oral health

Now that we’ve taken a look at the foods that can be detrimental to oral health, let’s talk about the foods that can help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

• Celery, carrots, and other crunchy vegetables – Great for boosting saliva production; their rough texture also helps clean the surfaces of teeth
• Chia seeds – Rich in nutrients and vitamins such as calcium, fiber, phosphorus, and vitamin A, which are all great for tooth health
• Dairy – Rich in calcium, which helps prevent tooth decay; dairy products such as cheese also contain casein, which repairs and strengthens enamel

If it’s good for your body, it’s probably good for your teeth

The bottom line is, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is good for the body and ultimately for oral health. If you’d like more tips on how diet and nutrition impact healthy teeth, call the team at Dentistry at LaSalle today at (905) 634-9090.