10 foods to limit for the health of your teeth!
10 foods to avoid for your teeth!
We can't stress this enough at Caliquo: brushing your teeth regularly and after every meal is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and showing off the most beautiful smile. But our oral health also depends on what we eat. Certain foods, sometimes unexpected, can be harmful to our teeth. Here's a (non-exhaustive) list!
This article is part of a broader theme, which is dental hygiene. We have an article that covers this topic in a comprehensive manner: dental hygiene
- Soda
Soda, even sugar-free, is a real enemy of your teeth. Its acidity, similar to that of lemon juice, can have a very harmful effect. To prevent the drink from remaining in contact with your tooth enamel for too long, don't hesitate to drink it through a straw. And above all, never brush your teeth within an hour of drinking it; this risks further damaging the enamel.
- The coffee
Combined with caffeine, the sugar added to coffee can be a real attack on tooth enamel, as its acidity is reinforced by the caffeine. Additionally, the colored pigments in coffee can stain teeth. So to avoid dulling your beautiful white teeth, be sure to drink water right after your coffee and brush your teeth at least 30 minutes afterward.
- Tea
Although tea has many health benefits, it contains a lot of tannins (just like coffee or wine), a substance that tends to leave a deposit on teeth. It also contains fluorine, which, if consumed in large quantities, can affect dental health. Don't hesitate to favor green and black teas.
- Citrus juices
Contrary to popular belief, citrus juices are very high in sugar (especially those made from concentrated juice) and can therefore damage teeth. When drinking juice, it's best to drink it through a straw to limit contact with your teeth.
- Dried fruits
While most fresh fruits are beneficial for our oral health, dried fruits are not recommended: although they are excellent appetite suppressants, their fiber contains very fine sugar particles, like those found in chewable vitamins and candy. Not to mention, they tend to stick to teeth and therefore promote the development of cavities.
- White wine
The acidity of white wine has a corrosive effect on tooth enamel and increases the risk of cavities. A recent American study also showed that white wine promotes the fixation of the color of other drinks consumed immediately afterward. It is therefore strongly recommended not to drink tomato juice or coffee immediately after a glass of white wine, especially if your tooth enamel is already damaged!
- Red wine
Both acidic and rich in tannins, red wine is well known for staining teeth. However, this effect varies greatly from person to person.
- Chips and snacks
Not only are chips and snacks high in fat and salt, they're also high in sugar. When this sugar comes into contact with the bacteria in your mouth, it turns into acid, attacking and demineralizing tooth enamel. Enjoy snacks, but in moderation!
- Starchy foods
Starchy foods play a role in the development of cavities. When the starch in starchy foods mixes with amylase (an enzyme in saliva), oral acidity increases and erodes enamel.
- Popcorn
Popcorn often contains unpopped kernels, which can damage teeth and other fillings and crowns. Consume with caution.
As you will have understood, to keep your teeth in good health, certain foods and drinks should be consumed in moderation, especially if your tooth enamel is already damaged.
We obviously have several articles that cover this topic in more detail:
The importance of brushing your teeth twice a day
How long should you brush your teeth?
How to maintain your toothbrush
How to brush your teeth properly
We also wrote an article on how to avoid bleeding gums right here: Bleeding Gums
Our specific article on the benefits of dental flossing right here: dental floss
We wrote an article on how to make your own mouthwash: Making Your Own Mouthwash
If you are interested in this subject, discover our more specific articles: