If achieving the pinnacle of oral health were a recipe, the list of ingredients would surely omit
certain foods. At Stallings Dental, we not only care for your teeth, we educate on how to
maintain the shine and strength of your smile between visits. Your diet plays a formidable role in
your dental health, and some foods are notorious for undermining the hard work you put into
brushing and flossing. Let’s chew over the top foods to avoid to keep your smile in stellar shape.
1. The Sticky Situation: Candy and Dried Fruits
Sticky sweets like caramels and taffy are problematic counterparts to a healthy smile. They cling
to teeth, nestling into crevices where they set up camp, and invite tooth decay. Dried fruits,
though often heralded for their health benefits, share this unyielding stickiness and high sugar
content, making them less than ideal for your oral health.
What to do instead:
Opt for fresh fruits that have high water content and are less likely to stick, such as apples,
which can help clean your teeth as you chew.
2. Hard Candies: A Crunchy Conundrum
Hard candies might be a friend to your taste buds, but they’re no ally to your teeth. The
extended time they spend dissolving in your mouth gives sugar plenty of time to wreak havoc,
and biting down on these sugary stones can lead to chipped or broken teeth.
What to do instead:
When you need a flavor boost, try chewing on sugar-free gum with xylitol—an ingredient that
can help fight cavities and freshen your breath.
3. The Acid Attack: Citrus Fruits and Sodas
Oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are full of vitamins but also high in acidic content, which can
erode enamel over time. Similarly, sodas—even diet ones—bathe your teeth in
enamel-weakening acids and are often laden with additional tooth-unfriendly sugars or
sweeteners.
What to do instead:
Consume acidic foods in moderation and drink more neutral pH beverages like water,
particularly water infused with fluoride, which helps remineralize and strengthen your enamel.
4. Starch Woes: Bread and Potato Chips
When it comes to oral health, not all carbs are created equal. Refined carbohydrates found in
white bread and potato chips quickly break down into simple sugars. Bacteria in your mouth
feast on these sugars, releasing acids that lead to cavities.
What to do instead:
Choose whole grains that are less processed and don’t break down as easily. Their complex
carbohydrates are more challenging for bacteria to convert into harmful acids.
5. Alcohol: The Hidden Drought
Alcohol consumption can dry out your mouth, depleting saliva which is essential for keeping
teeth clean and preventing disease. Without sufficient saliva, teeth are more susceptible to
cavities, gum disease, and other infections.
What to do instead:
If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation and follow it with water to help maintain saliva levels.
And always hydrate well throughout the day.
6. Ice: Tempting but Traumatic
Chewing on ice can be refreshing, but it’s also an invitation to crack or chip your teeth,
potentially damaging enamel along the way.
What to do instead:
Resist the crunch, and let ice do its job cooling your drink—not testing your dental work.
Cultivating a Tooth-Friendly Diet
Caring for your smile includes mindful eating. At Stallings Dental, we stand ready to guide you
through personalized dietary choices that support oral health. We’re more than dentists—we’re
lifelong partners in your journey toward maintaining an award-winning smile.
Remember, avoiding certain foods can prevent unnecessary trips to the dentist and play a
significant role in your overall health. Want tailored advice on how to optimize your diet for your
oral health? Schedule your next check-up at Stallings Dental, and let’s savor the success of a
healthy, happy mouth together.
