You already know that brushing and flossing lead to better oral health. And these great habits help protect your gums, too. What you may not realize is avoiding certain foods helps protect your gums even more. There are a variety of foods that can be harmful to your gums. Knowing which foods to take in moderation and which to avoid altogether will have your gums thanking you. And avoiding these four foods altogether will be helpful to your overall health, as well.
1. Sodas and Sports Drinks
That extra burst of caffeine or sugar might help wake you up, but the high sugar and acid contents in sodas and sports drinks eat away at the protective enamel on your teeth. The increased sugar also leads to more plaque build-up, which harbors harmful bacteria in your mouth and gums. Even worse, both types of drinks, especially caffeinated varieties, will cause dryness in your mouth. A dry mouth is a bacteria breeding ground.
2. Protect Your Gums from Candy
Candy might taste good, but it’s one of the foods that are most harmful for your gums. Sugar is essentially candy for bacteria. The more you feed the bacteria, the more of it that’s trying to harm your teeth and gums. Not only is candy mostly sugar, but it usually contains ingredients that make it thick and sticky. Extra sticky sugar is even harder to brush off of your teeth.
3. Skip Alcohol and Coffee
Alcohol works against your gums in two ways. It dries out your mouth, and many varieties also contain sugar or acid. Obviously, the sugar and acid components depend on what type of alcoholic beverages you’re having, and neither is good for your gums. Of course, coffee, especially caffeinated, tends to severely dry out your mouth, leading to extra bacteria build-up. Coffee can become more harmful to your gums if you add a lot of sugar to it.
4. Pop Less Popcorn
Another simple way to protect your gums is to eat less popcorn. While it might seem like a harmless treat, it’s one of the more popular foods that are harmful for your gums. Yes, heavy butter can be problematic, but it’s the popcorn husks that are the problem. Not only do the husks get stuck between your teeth, but they cut the gums and even get stuck under the gums leading to infections.
What to Eat Instead
Switching to mainly water and far less sugar in your diet are important for better oral health. If you do eat or drink the foods above, only do it in moderation and make sure to brush afterward to prevent plaque build-up around your gum line.
Another way to protect your gums is with regular dental checkups. Contact us today to schedule your next checkup.
Content found on this blog is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak with a professional if you have concerns about your oral health.
