Foods to Avoid for a Healthy Smile

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month?

Our diets and the foods that we consume can have a lasting impact, not only on our physical health, but also on our oral health.

It is important that we understand the large role that nutrition plays in caring for and maintaining a healthy, bright and beautiful smile! Nutrition and oral health are incredibly interrelated and knowledge is power when it comes to protecting your smile!

Regular visits to your dentist and optimal home care are fundamental in oral hygiene and health. However, regular and excessive consumption of foods that are detrimental to your teeth can still compromise the health of your smile.

At DentFirst Dental Care, we want to help our patients have a comprehensive understanding of the best ways and practices to keep their beautiful smiles healthy!

Below you will find 5 types of foods that aren’t the best for your teeth, but may already be a part of your daily diet.

Sugary Foods:

Foods that are high in sugar promote tooth decay.

(Candy, ice cream, sodas, cereals)

Sticky Foods:

Foods that are sticky and/or chewy stick to the surface of teeth or between them and cause tooth decay.

(Taffy, caramels, gummy foods/candies)

Hard/Crunchy Foods:

Foods that are difficult to bite into or chew can cause your teeth to chip or crack.

(Hard candies, ice, lollipops, bones)

Acidic Foods:

Foods that are high in acidity can wear down your enamel over time and leave your teeth weakened and susceptible to decay.

(Citrus fruits, sodas, sugary drinks/juices, tomato soup)

Foods High in Starch:

Foods that are high in starch easily stick to the surface of your teeth and between them, too. These starches will break down into sugar, promoting tooth decay.

(Breads, potato chips, rice, crackers, pasta)

Did you see some of your favorite foods on here? If so, don’t worry, moderation is the key! Some of these foods or their primary ingredients are fairly difficult to avoid in our daily diets. This is where great oral hygiene habits come into play such as daily flossing and brushing your teeth!

If you are unsure if some of your favorite foods are harming your teeth, feel free to talk to your DentFirst Dentist or Hygienist to learn more about how these foods may be affecting your smile.

Check back soon for a list of the types of foods that encourage a healthy and bright smile!

Patients are FIRST DentFirst!

*This information is adapted from Delta Dental and existing findings from the ADA.