What 4 Foods Should You Avoid to Prevent Cavities and Tooth Loss?

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A cavity can be understood as a hole in a tooth. Cavities are some of the most common dental problems, and they are usually a result of tooth decay. Some symptoms of dental cavities include tooth sensitivity, toothache, and visible holes on the surface of the teeth. If cavities are not treated early, they can get bigger and take a toll on the inner layers of the teeth, leading to issues such as infection, severe tooth pain, and even tooth loss. 

While cavity formation has several causes, it can be highly influenced by the food we eat. Below are the foods that are most likely to cause cavities.

1. Soft Drinks and Alcohol

Soft drinks and alcohol can damage your teeth in several ways. For instance, they contain sugar that can encourage the growth of bacteria, leading to the buildup of plaque that can attack your enamel and cause cavities. 

Even if some soft drinks are sugarless, they contain acids that can potentially damage your enamel and cause cavities. 

Alternatively, alcohol is known to cause dryness in the mouth, which promotes the growth of bacteria that can lead to cavities.

2. Starchy Food

Starchy foods like potatoes, white bread, and pasta are also known to damage the teeth. This is because starch is a refined carbohydrate that is converted into sugar as soon as it comes into contact with saliva. 

Starchy foods are also known to stick to the teeth and encourage the growth of bacteria that can attack your enamel and cause cavities. 

To protect your teeth, you need to eat starchy foods together with other foods that don’t stick to your teeth and preferably brush your teeth after eating.

3. Sugary Food

Bacteria that cause tooth decay love sugar. They live in the mouth feeding on sugar. Therefore, if you eat sugary foods such as candy, sweets, and cakes, you will essentially be giving cavity-causing bacteria what they need to thrive. As the bacteria break down the sugar, they will produce an acid that will attack your enamel and cause cavities. 

Therefore, you should minimize or avoid sugary foods to protect your teeth against cavities and tooth loss.

4. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits can be an integral part of your diet. They are rich in vitamin C and other essential nutrients and minerals. However, they can be so acidic that they can wear away your enamel and eventually cause cavities. Therefore, if you have to take citrus fruits and other highly acidic foods, you should take them in moderation for your dental health.

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Dental problems such as cavities and tooth loss are linked to the kind of food we take. 

Therefore, you need to identify the foods that can damage your teeth and avoid them if possible. Contact our dental facility at 310-275-1090 for more information about how eating certain foods can affect your dental health.