There are many kinds of food that, when consumed, may be harmful and have deleterious effects on our dental health. There are certain foods that we should avoid taking and some that should be taken in moderation. Foods to be avoided Eating foods that are bad for your teeth can contribute to plaque and tooth decay. Below are the foods we should stay away from, or at least limit, to keep our teeth as healthy as possible. Chewy candy: This is probably the top food that people should avoid eating. It is a common cause of tooth decay and dental cavities. Because it is chewy, it gets stuck between the teeth and can be hard to remove. Harmful oral bacteria get to feed on it longer and emit acidic by-products into the mouth. Hard candy: While it is not chewy, hard candy is not a good substitute. Hard candy takes a long time to dissolve, and it releases sugars into the mouth the entire time. Biting down at the wrong angle or before it is dissolved too much can cause a chip, break, or crack in the tooth. Ice: Water in its liquid form is one of the best things for oral health. Not so much in its frozen state. A habit of chewing ice regularly can increase the wear and tear on the teeth. It also can have the same problem as hard candy if you bite down at the wrong angle. Sports drinks: Sports drinks may seem like a healthier alternative to things like soda and energy drinks. But if you read the nutrition label, you will find that they have as much or even more sugar. Many sports drinks are also flavored with citric acid. This combination increases the likelihood of tooth decay. Coffee and tea: While these drinks can be okay in moderation and plain, many people drink them often and are loaded with sugars and syrups. Consuming them regularly causes discolored teeth over time. Chips and crackers: Although they do not have sugar in them, they break down into sugars as we chew and digest. Chips also get stuck in between teeth, while crackers can form a paste in the crevices of the molars. Citrus fruit: Citrus fruit is good for you but something you should eat in moderation. Even lemon in your water will introduce citric acid to your teeth. Never brush them right after consuming acid, as this can make the effects worse. Rinse your mouth with plain water and wait for at least a half-hour until you brush. Alcohol: Alcohol causes your mouth to dry out, reducing the amount of saliva. Over time, this can cause problems with gum disease and tooth decay as saliva is crucial for rinsing problem particles away.

Foods to consume in moderation Following are the foods that we should consume in moderation: Tuna: Canned tuna is convenient and delicious; therefore can be easily added to the diet. Protein-rich and high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, this fish can be added to sandwiches and salads for a healthy meal. However, we should not eat too much of it as it accounts for high levels of mercury, which is particularly harmful to pregnant women because of the health risks it poses to the unborn baby. Avocados: Rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, avocados help to improve skin and hair and also help in lowering cholesterol. But we should not consume too many fats of this kind. Avocado has a surprisingly high-calorie count, about 250 per fruit. Cheese: Along with most dairy products, cheese is a good source of calcium and protein. It promotes healthy bone development and the heart. However, eating melted cheese that goes into a pizza or pasta can harm our health. We should ensure that we eat cheese in moderation. Chocolate: Dark chocolate is sweet and turns out to be good for our overall health. Dark chocolate helps in lowering the risk of heart disease as they are filled with antioxidants and heart-healthy components. However, chocolates available in the supermarkets have too much sugar and calories. Nuts: An extraordinary source of healthy fats, which helps in maintaining a healthy heart. Nuts have around 80 percent fat and are high in calories. Adding a few nuts in our daily diet to replace unhealthy fats is fine, like sprinkle over healthy main dish salads or in the morning with milk. But eating too much can add unnecessary calories and will eventually cause health problems.

Bad effects of food on teeth Good oral health is dependent on various factors. The kind of food consumed contributes to the pH of the oral cavity. For dental health, it is recommended that people limit eating and drinking between meals. Of course, sometimes eating between meals must happen. Unfortunately, most people choose foods like sweets and chips for snacks, foods that harm teeth by promoting tooth decay. If we do snack, we should ensure that it is a nutritious one such as cheese, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, or nuts for our overall health and the health of our teeth. In general, a less acidic environment prevents tooth damage and minimizes the chances of tooth demineralization. Certain foods contribute to lowering the pH of the mouth, thereby making the oral environment more acidic. It is observed that when the pH level is less than 7.0, it creates an oxygen-scarce environment leading to dental decay. Post-consumption of sugary foods or drinks, acids are released by bacteria as they feed upon these foods. These acids produced by these bacteria interact with the plaque on the tooth surface, which results in tooth caries or cavities. To sum up We should try to avoid foods, for example candies, coffee, tea, and chewing on ice, that are harmful to our teeth and if we do consume them, we should take them in a moderate amount that is good for our dental health. If we do not follow such a guide, it leads to dead and decaying teeth.