5 types of food or drinks that are detrimental to your teeth

5 types of food or drinks that are detrimental to your teeth

There are many types of food, we expose our teeth to.  But there are some that we should never expose our teeth to.  Here are 5 types of food or drinks we should avoid.

1. Junk food

We often enjoy eating lollies, chocolate and other types of junk food.  These food are packed with fat and sugar.  Fat contained in these food can cause weight gain, but sugar loaded in them may be detrimental to both health and teeth all the consumers.

Very often, these food may stick on your teeth and bacteria in your mouth will produce an acid which causes demineralization of your teeth surfaces. In the long run, this may cause dental decay which leads to dental problems like dental abscess if left untreated.

At Valley Gentle Dental, our Traralgon dentist discourage people from consuming or overindulging in junk food.

2. Sports drinks

Sports drinks are designed to replenish a person especially after vigorous exercise or sports events. Sports drinks are also loaded with sugar and are very acidic.

The sugar contained in sports drinks will stick to teeth surfaces for prolonged period and may cause dental decay in the presence of bacteria.  The acid will cause erosion to teeth surfaces.

At Valley Gentle Dental, our Traralgon dentists encourage our customers to avoid sports drinks but to drink water instead.

3. Energy drinks

Energy drinks are very popular among our younger generation.  With slick advertising, the energy drinks have become widely used.

These drinks are loaded with sugar and caffeine.  Sugar contained in energy drinks may cause decay in teeth, while the caffeine in these drinks may cause dehydration, increased appetite and may also cause teeth staining.  These may in turn cause bad breath due to dryness in mouths.

At Valley Gentle Dental, our Traralgon dentists always remind our customers of examining carefully contents of these energy drinks and if possible, keep them to the minimum.

4. Citrus fruits

Orange, grapefruit and lemon are among the citrus fruits which are detrimental to your teeth. While they complement our food well, sucking on them or overindulging in them are bad for your teeth and overall health.

Citric acid in these fruits may cause severe erosion in your teeth.  Eroded teeth are often linked to development of sensitivity in teeth to temperature.  Severe erosion of teeth may sometimes cause the loss of teeth structure causing nerve of teeth to be exposed and pain.

At Valley Gentle Dental, our Traralgon dentists recommend not to use excessive amount of citrus fruits.

5. Fruit juices and Soft drinks

Fruit juices and soft drinks are also loaded with plenty of sugar.  Whether these sugar are natural sugar or added sugar, excessive sugar in drinks again will cause weight gain and cause our teeth to be prone to dental decay.

At Valley Gentle Dental, our Traralgon dentists suggest these drinks if they need to be consumed, use straws so they are not exposed to our teeth.

About the author

DR Choong Chai (DENTIST)

Dr Choong Chai is a principal dentist at Valley Gentle Dental . We are conveniently located in Seymour Street, Traralgon. We take great pride in restoring your smile and maintaining your optimal oral health. We are preferred providers for NIB, HCF and Smile.com.au.