Choosing the right foods for your oral health is a lifestyle. Being committed to your oral health really does include watching what you eat. Here, we are not only going to discuss foods that harm your teeth, but also some alternative choices that do not! Keep reading for the 5 worst foods for your teeth and what to choose instead! 
- Acidic foods and drinks. Things like soda, citrus, and tomatoes wear the enamel off your teeth over time. Always rinse your mouth out with plain water after eating acidic foods. Brushing directly after can do even more damage to your enamel. One way you can lower your acid intake is to try cucumber water instead of lemon water. Coconut water is also a great alternative to soda.
- Alcohol. Not only can alcohol do a lot of damage to the rest of your body, but it can also impact the health of your teeth. This is especially true of sugary cocktails and beer. Instead of these, try a straight-up drink or just a glass of red wine if you do get a drink. Water is the best alternative and should be sipped after any alcohol as well.
- Starchy foods. Potato chips and bread are perfect examples of starch. These types of foods get stuck very easily in the crevices of your teeth and break down into sugar. Sugar creates even more problems for your teeth that we will discuss below. So instead of chips and bread; try raw veggies with a yummy dip, or chips made out of other vegetables like kale.
- Sticky foods. Sticky foods are difficult to get off your teeth, and can even cause problems with any existing dental work. You should always avoid foods that have these gummy textures unless you can rinse, floss, and brush right away. Try eating raw, organic fruits instead of chewy candies.
- Sugar and artificial sweeteners. Sugar and artificial sweeteners are the number one causes of tooth decay. Staying away from sugars altogether is the healthiest thing for your teeth. However, this is quite challenging, so opting for natural sugars like organic honey, applesauce, or molasses is a much healthier alternative to the refined/artificial sugars that are more common.
No matter how healthy your diet is, it is still very important to keep up with proper oral hygiene. Let us help you on your journey to a healthier smile today! Give Bayou Dental Group a call or schedule an appointment online for your next dental checkup; and be sure to rinse, floss, and brush after every meal. We can’t wait to see you!
