Foods and Your Oral Health

You may think that you are taking all of the necessary steps in securing your oral health. This probably includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once, and visiting your dentist regularly. But you might be surprised to know that there are certain foods you should definitely avoid in order to keep your teeth as free from bacteria as possible, and foods that will help your dental health and get rid of bacteria.

Certain foods are better at causing bacteria in the mouth; bacteria that causes plaque, which in turn causes cavities. Miriam R. Robbins DDS, Associate Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxiofacial Pathology, advised to stay away from combinations of sugar, acid, and stickiness. This combination is especially prevalent in candies. The big “evils” being Skittles and Starbursts, she advises.

But snacking on sweets is inevitable. We are bound to indulge in sticky candies sometimes. If you do, there is a trick to minimizing the damage afterward. Make sure to wait twenty to thirty minutes after eating damaging foods before brushing your teeth. If you brush too soon, you may cause additional damage, as enamel on the teeth is softened at this point. Waiting about half an hour can ensure that you are getting rid of the bad residue, like sugar, and not the important enamel that you need to protect your teeth.

On the other hand, there are many foods that increase the production of saliva, which has a neutralizing effect on acid. These foods include cheeses, sugar-free gum, and celery.

Back to Blog