Unknown to many people, your diet affects your oral health as much as it affects your dental health. The foods and drinks you take can have either good or bad effects on your teeth. The permanent teeth at eruption above the gumline are white or pale yellow and devoid of stains (when there is no disease or medical condition that affects the tooth enamel). However, as you grow, your teeth start to change color over some time. The teeth might also have yellow or brown stains on them that might make them look unattractive. One of the primary reasons for tooth discoloration is your diet.
The teeth possess pores that absorb the color of the foods and drinks you put into your mouth. A buildup of stains from these foods and beverages clogs up these microscopic pores and causes tooth discoloration. This is an instance in which your diet affects your oral health directly. While discolored teeth are not aesthetically pleasing, they also increase your risk of having dental infections and diseases. Acidic foods and drinks can lead to dental erosion. Dental erosion is a situation in which there is a gradual dissolving of the tooth enamel. Another dental problem caused by your diet is tooth decay and gum disease.
Tooth decay is the decay of the outer surface of the teeth as a result of the actions of bacteria in the mouth. Tooth decay is caused by the infestation of the mouth with dental plaques. Dental plaques are formed due to the interaction between saliva, starch/sugary food particles, and bacteria in the mouth. This interaction leads to the production of acids that wear down the tooth enamel and cause decay.
Gum disease is also a result of dental plaques that form from the foods chewed with the teeth. Food particles that get stuck between the teeth or the occlusal surfaces of the premolars and molars lead to the formation of dental plaques. These dental plaques lead to the inflammation of the gums, referred to as gingivitis, a milder stage of gum disease. When left untreated, gingivitis worsens and becomes periodontitis. These diseases and infections are a result of the choice of food of an individual.
Tooth decay, dental erosion, gum disease, and other tooth infections and diseases caused by food choice can damage the teeth or even lead to loss of teeth. The teeth are essential for tearing, biting, and chewing food, pronunciation of words and production of speech, and supporting the jawbones to shape the face. Damage to the teeth or total loss would hinder the teeth from carrying out their functions properly. This indicates that to keep healthy teeth and protect your oral health, you must watch what you eat and avoid eating bad foods for your teeth.
Below is a list of foods that are bad for your teeth and should be avoided to the best of your ability:
While it is hard to do without some of these foods and drinks, it is advised that they should be rarely taken. Also, it would help if you visited dental offices frequently for teeth cleaning, dental checkups, and other forms of dental care.