If you really love food, chances are, there are times when you have a few guilt trips about your indulgences! We all know what’s good for us and what we should avoid: eat fruit and vegetables with every meal and stay away from sugar. That doesn’t tend to stop us enjoying something incredibly delicious once in a while, though. However, some of the foods and drinks that we all love can be incredibly harmful to our teeth. Staining, decay, and gum disease can be caused by healthy options as well as the bad ones. 

Stains

If you love having a pearly white smile, then there are dozens of foods and drinks you might choose to avoid. Coffee is one of the biggest offenders! It’s not easy to stay away from that morning caffeine hit, but knowing that your teeth are yellowed by each cup might help persuade you. Red wine doesn’t just tint your lips. The acids from this and fruit juice can start to wear your enamel too, leaving you prone to more yellowing. Love a curry? Sadly, the spices that give our favorite hot dishes their flavor can also stain the teeth. If you have porcelain veneers, speak to your dentist about the best way to avoid food and drink stains ruining them.

Decay

Fruit is super healthy. It’s full of vitamins and minerals and tastes pretty awesome too. Unfortunately, many fruits contain a lot of acids and natural sugars. These can start to wear your enamel, causing sensitivity and even decay. Fibrous fruit is perfect for a healthy digestive system. Of course, all those acidic fibers caught between your teeth could cause cavities where your brush doesn’t reach so well. Did you know that fizzy drinks, including sparkling water, can cause decay? The extra bubbles can gradually wear your enamel, leaving you prone to sensitivity. Add the harmful ingredients of your food to the bubbles, and you might start to have bigger problems.

Gum Disease

Any foods that leave tiny particles between your teeth and around the gum line can be harmful. Meat, fish, wheat, bread, and more can get caught there. Brushing your teeth straight after you eat can start to aggravate the sensitive gum line. Use a soft brush if you do this. Remember, you might be pushing those freshly eaten particles into problem areas. If your gums regularly bleed or are inflamed, this could be a sign that you already have gum disease. It’s important to speak to your dentist. Mouth washes can help destroy the bacteria from foods that have got into awkward places. Try not to use anything too abrasive.

While it is true that food can be the primary source of dental problems like cavities, decay and gum disease, it’s important to eat well. Sugary drinks will always be one of the worst offenders, so definitely try to avoid them. Straws and sucking cups can also cause damage as they keep harmful liquids in contact with the teeth for longer. Keep your teeth white by eating right.