A balanced and varied diet is important, but some foods are worse for the teeth than others.

 

Foods containing sugar

Increased sugar content in the mouth produces acids that attack the teeth and cause tooth decay. On average, 40kg of sugar is consumed per person per year, as most of our food contains some form of sugar. If we were to ban all sugar from our diet, our bodies would lack important nutrients. However, we can safely reduce all foods that contain refined sugar.

 

Sticky food

Food that sticks to the teeth stays in the mouth for longer and therefore increases the risk of tooth decay. Even if you rinse your mouth with water afterwards, some particles remain stuck to your teeth for a long time. Sticky sweets can cause just as much damage as dried fruit.

It is better and more tooth-friendly to eat sticky foods with a main meal when more saliva is produced, which speeds up the breakdown of the particles and helps to wash down the food. Sticky foods should be avoided as a snack between meals.

 

Acidic foods

Foods and drinks with a high acid content can increase acid production in the mouth and unbalance the oral flora. These include soft drinks, wine, fruit juice, marinated foods, tomatoes and citrus fruits. Over time, the acid attacks the tooth enamel and causes tooth decay.

Of course, this does not mean that healthy fruit juices or citrus fruits should be removed from your diet, as they are still healthy for the body. The important thing is to consume acidic foods in moderation. Replace soft drinks with water or rinse your mouth well afterwards. After eating acidic foods, sugar-free chewing gum helps to neutralise the acidity.

 

Junk food

An occasional slip is not a major problem. Continuous consumption of junk food (food with low nutritional value) is not only bad for your general health, but also for your teeth. The body needs a healthy balance of minerals and vitamins to fight infection. A diet low in minerals and vitamins makes the gums more susceptible to periodontal disease.

 

Oversized food

Certain foods can rot your teeth. But oversized food can actually injure your jaw. Eating foods that are more than 4cm high can cause temporomandibular joint dysfunction (Temporomandibular joint, TMJ) because the mouth is opened too wide. This TMJ dysfunction causes facial pain and problems opening the mouth. People who regularly eat oversized hamburgers often suffer from TMJ without realising what is causing it.

 

Not only what you eat, but also when you eat can make a difference. If you chew continuously throughout the day, your mouth is exposed to more sugar and acid than if you ate the same food in a single meal. For example, it is healthier for your teeth to eat a sweet dessert after your main meal than to eat the dessert separately.