A healthy diet is essential to maintaining good oral health. The foods and drinks you consume can affect your body in ways that can adversely affect your teeth. So, what are the worst foods for your oral health? Here is your list: 

• Sugary and starchy foods. Foods with high sugar content, such as candy and soda, feed oral bacteria. When the bacteria eat the sugar, they produce acid that wears away your dental enamel. Furthermore, starchy foods, such as potato chips, and bread, convert to sugar when you eat them. This can cause tooth decay.
• Dried fruit. Dried fruit contains high levels of sugar. Like candy, sugar feeds oral bacteria, causing cavities. So, if you want to eat dry fruits, take them along with your meals and rinse your mouth afterwards. 
• Meat and dairy products. Eating meat and cheese can actually increase the production of acid in your mouth. While dairy products contain calcium, which is good for your teeth, they also contain phosphorous, which can damage your dental enamel.
• Beverages with alcohol. Alcoholic beverages, like beer, wine, and liquor, are highly acidic and can cause tooth decay.
• Soft drinks. Just like other sugary or acidic beverages, soda is harmful to your teeth. Drinking soda increases your risk for tooth decay and can cause dental decay, also known as dental caries.
• Alcohol.Alcohol, especially wine, can stain your teeth. It also dries out your mouth, which can cause dry mouth. A dry mouth is a risk factor for tooth decay. Drinking alcohol can also increase your risk of oral cancer. If you do drink, try to drink in moderation. It is also wise to brush your teeth or rinse with water after drinking.
• Tobacco products. Tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and snuff, all contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. People who use tobacco products often have stains and bad breath and are more likely to have gum disease. In fact, tobacco use is one of the most significant risk factors in the development of oral cancer.
• Ice or hard candy.When you crunch on ice or hard candy, it puts a lot of pressure on your jaw. Over time, this could lead to a fracture or a broken tooth.

To learn more about good oral care habits, call Tijuana Dental Studio at (619) 955-6901 (USA) or (664) 685-6460 (Mexico). You can also visit us at Calle Quinta, Zona Centro, Tijuana Baja California 7974.