Brush Your Teeth (Especially) After Eating These Foods

There is lots of talk about which foods are best for building a strong, bright, healthy smile, but less about which foods have adverse affects on the condition of teeth. Several foods, usually high in sugar, can escalate the wear and tear on teeth, leaving them weak and more prone to decay, plaque, and other chronic conditions.

Saliva is intended to naturally wash away small food particles from the teeth and mouth, though foods that are sticky and high in sugar are more difficult to remove from the teeth. This, in turn, can damage the natural tooth enamel. However, if the teeth are brushed soon after the consumption of sugary foods, the chances of tooth decay or damage to the enamel decrease significantly.

1. Dried Fruits: Though dried fruits are healthy and contain the majority of the same nutrients of raw fruit, they are gummy and higher in sugar content, which is the perfect recipe for sticking to teeth.
2. Sugary Drinks: Every time a soda or sports drink is sipped on, teeth get coated in a layer of sugar and acid. Consuming these drinks at a quicker pace is recommended.
3. Hard Candies: These are the perfect storm for sticking to teeth; hard candies are packed with sugar, and linger in the mouth for a long period of time. Brush or rinse with water after consuming.
4. Alcohol: Alcohol causes natural saliva production to decrease, so the mouth is not cleansing itself as efficiently as usual.
5. Citrus: Citrusy foods are high in acid, which can promote tooth decay. These foods are significantly worse if consumed independently. Rinse out the mouth afterward.
6. Starch: Foods that are high in starch content are more likely to get trapped in the teeth, which can lead to bacteria and plaque buildup.
7. Coffee: Coffee is widely known to stain and darken teeth. It also causes teeth to be stickier, which can cause food particles and bacteria to stick to the surfaces of teeth.

It is important to note that several of these foods are not necessarily detrimental to overall health, just to the condition of teeth if brushing, flossing, or rinsing is not done soon after consuming these foods.

We welcome your questions, please call 303-720-7465 or visit ArvadaDentalCenter.com for more information.