Fast Food And Oral Health

Do you know that sugar and carbohydrates present in processed and fast foods can impact your dental and oral health? The reason is that fast food increases the bacteria and mouth’s acidity.

Acids in fast food for oral health can break down the tooth enamel, and sugar causes bacteria to gather and develop cavities, leading to tooth decay or loss of teeth.

Oral diseases that can be easily preventable in early stages affect many countries, causing major health issues and affecting people throughout their lifetime, causing pain and discomfort.

A new guideline of World Health Organization (WHO) recommended adults and children’s to limit their daily sugar intake for up to 10% of their total diet.

4 Worst Food For Oral Health

Here are the four worst food for oral health that lead to cavities and gum diseases.

Sugary Food And Drinks

Consuming sugary food and drinks can harm your dental as well as oral health providing fuel for bacteria formation that produces acids and leading to cavities in the surface of the teeth’s and tooth decay.

One tablespoon of ketchup contains up to 4 grams of free sugar, and a single can of soda, soft drink, or sugar-sweetened drink contains up to 40 grams of sugar that has the potential to ruin your dental and overall oral health.

Eating sugar-rich foods can significantly impair your quality of life such as eating and sleeping due to pain and discomfort.

Carbonated Soft Drinks

Consuming excess soft drinks is one of the major risk factors for oral health problems. Most soft drinks, sodas, and energy drinks contain about 50 – 60 grams of sugar, which can severely harm your tooth enamel.

Soft drinks that are carbonated, high in sugar, and acids increase the risk of dental caries, and enamel erosion leading to loss of teeth and worsening of oral health conditions.

Acidic Food And Drinks

Acidic food and drinks that are generally found in fast foods are a major cause of tooth erosion, it can severely affect and harm the surface of the teeth leading to sensitivity to hot and cold.

Certain fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are rich in acids that can be bothersome, cause sore mouths, and erode your tooth enamel.

Sticky And Starchy Foods

Foods that are sticky and rich in starch and carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, oats, bananas, and cereals can promote and act as fuel for bacteria on plaque and tartar that are major factors for causing serious gum diseases.

How Fast Food Affects Your Dental Health

Due to busy schedules, people find it convenient to drive through and grab fast foods instead of preparing a homemade meal that is healthier for a person’s overall health.

Eating fast foods or unhealthy foods not only affects your physical health but also causes serious health problems like diabetes and Obesity. It also impacts your oral health and increases the risk of cavities, tooth decay, and severe gum diseases such as (Gingivitis And Periodontitis).

The reason why fast foods are bad for your oral health is that they are highly processed, carbonated, rich in carbohydrates, acids, and added salt and sugar to it.

While grabbing a cheeseburger, people often go for a soft drink, and the sugar found in carbonated beverages can break down tooth enamel, increasing the risk of tooth decay.

Nutrient-Rich Foods That Are Good For Your Oral Health

Here is a list of nutrient-rich food for oral health that also helps to prevent certain oral problems.

• Dairy Products

Cheese is one of the best foods for your teeth for various reasons, and the best thing about cheese is that it is low in sugar and high in calcium which helps to maintain bone density.

It also contains a protein casein that is particularly used for fortifying tooth enamel. Yogurt is highly rich in calcium and probiotics that help to prevent bad breath.

• Leafy Vegetables

Leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage, and lettuce are very good for your dental health. They are rich in calcium, folic acid, vitamins, and minerals that help clean the food particles that are stuck in the mouth and are the best food for teeth whitening.

• Nuts And Seeds

Dry fruits are considered very beneficial for oral health, as they are highly rich in calcium and phosphorus that make your teeth strong and healthy. Cashews, almonds, and nuts also help to fight against bacteria that lead to tooth decay.

Cashews stimulate saliva production and walnuts contain fiber, folic acid, iron, magnesium, iron, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium and zinc.

• Fruits And Veggies

If you want to have something sweet, fruits are the best option that aids your overall health. Fruits that are rich in vitamin C, protect your teeth from bacterial infection.

Certain fruits and vegetables like apples, raw vegetables, celery, and carrots are very helpful in removing plaque from the surface of your teeth.

• Fatty Fish

Chewing lean meats helps in saliva production that prevents dry mouth. Whereas salmon and tofu are loaded with proteins and phosphorus that help in protecting your tooth enamel.

Key Takeaways

It is no doubt that fast foods are bad for your oral health, but poor oral hygiene contributes to oral diseases that can affect your overall well-being. Avoid having enough junk food, and drink enough water to wash off the food particles that cause cavities and tooth decay.

Limiting sugar-rich foods and drinks and opt for calcium-rich nutritious food for oral health instead of eating fast foods that can severely harm your physical as well as overall oral health.

Oral Hygiene A Gift To Yourself