While you may have heard before that diet affects oral health, it’s probably safe to say that most of us don’t think twice about our teeth before downing a soda or treating ourselves to some dessert. Although a rewarding sweet can be good for morale every now and then, it’s important to consider how the foods and drinks we consume on a day-to-day basis affect our teeth. Diving into the chemistry and scientific data available, this article explores some of the foods that are most damaging to our teeth.
1. Highly Acidic Carbonated Beverages
Carbonated drinks are one of the most harmful beverages to oral health due to their high acidity which causes tooth erosion. The American Dental Association (ADA) defines erosion as “a chemical process characterized by acid dissolution of dental hard tissue not involving acids of bacterial origin” which can ultimately result in irreversible loss of the minerals making up our teeth.
In order to produce the fizzy effect in sodas, CO2 is added, resulting in the formation of carbonic acid. Our enamel is extremely vulnerable when exposed to the carbonic acid found in sodas. Enamel erosion can lead to greater sensitivity and pain, and, if not taken care of, can even lead to the partial disintegration of our teeth. More than that, our enamel is critical for protecting against cavities and infections.
A 2015 study found that carbonated beverages can have significant cariogenic effects as well, causing an instant decrease in salivary pH of after consumption. In turn, this makes the environment within our mouths more acidic. Because the most dramatic effects of soda consumption on teeth has been found in those who drink soda on a daily basis, substituting carbonated sodas with water during meals can be a great way to prevent enamel damage and tooth erosion.
2. The Relationship Between Cavities and Sugar
The large amounts of sugar found in many beverages is also a major oral health concern. Sugar provides fuel for the cavity-promoting bacteria Streptococcus mutans, which feeds on sugar to produce acids that break down tooth enamel. A 2006 study concluded that sucrose causes major biochemical changes that affect the process of bacterial biofilm formation in the mouth, making us more susceptible to cavities. Sucrose is one of the biggest food sources for oral bacteria and serves as a substrate for dental plaque. If not removed regularly, plaque can accumulate minerals from saliva and harden into tartar which can irritate our gums and lead to a host of other issues in the mouth.
Although sugars can be harmful to teeth, the level of harm ranges based on the form in which it is consumed. Liquid sugars such as those found in fruit juices and milk drinks can be less harmful due to their physical composition. Due to their ready flow and high incompressibility, sugary beverages pass through the oral cavity fairly quickly with limited contact time and attachment to the surface of the teeth. On the other hand, sticky sugars and carbohydrates with high adherence get stuck to the tooth surface. The longer sugar is stuck to the teeth, the more time it gives for bacteria to produce acids and promote bacterial growth. Hard candies like lollipops and caramels lengthen the period of sugar in the oral cavity, and are some of the worst foods for our teeth.
3. Refined Starches and the Enzyme Amylase
Refined starches like white bread, pasta, and many breakfast cereals can also contribute to poor oral health. Similar to the effects of added sugars, bacteria inside our mouths can quickly ferment the sugars found in starches and carbohydrates and produce enamel-eroding acid.
In one study, researchers found that more processed forms of starch increased the risk of cavities. Starches are broken down into simpler sugars once in our mouths due to an enzyme, amylase, found in saliva. Amylase breaks down the sugar maltose, the major structural component of starch, into glucose. This effect is amplified when starchy food is sticky, like rice, and can get trapped between the teeth. This leads to longer periods of time for salivary amylase to break down sugar and create an acidic environment in the oral cavity.
4. The Different Ways Alcohol Affects the Oral Cavity
Alcohol consumption has a broad range of health effects. From increasing the risk of oral cancer and cavities to dry mouth and teeth staining, it’s important to know the risk factors before drinking.
Alcohol is a predominant risk factor for oral cancer due to its effects on the mouth lining, increasing its permeability and making it more vulnerable to cancer-promoting substances. The increased rate of penetration of substances from the oral environment increases the risk of carcinogenesis. Oral cancer could lead to tooth decay, as well, and a range of other harmful effects within the mouth.
Alcohol also metabolizes into sugar, which feeds cavity-causing bacteria. Mixed drinks and cocktails with sugary mixers provide opportunities for sugar to coat the surface of teeth, which could lead to tooth decay if consumed on a regular basis. The acetic acid found in beer, as well as the tartaric, malic, citric, and succinic acids found in wines also have enamel-dissolving properties which can lead to sensitivity and pain.
Furthermore, alcohol consumption has the ability to cause dry mouth, increase the acidity in the oral cavity, and increase cravings for unhealthy foods. Saliva keeps teeth moist and has proteins that protect tooth enamel, so when saliva flow decreases, bacteria sticks to the enamel longer and creates plaque on the tooth’s surface.
Aesthetically, high levels of alcohol consumption can result in teeth staining. According to Dr. John Grbic, a Professor of Dental Medicine at Columbia University, the color in beverages comes from chromogens which attach to tooth enamel. Once in contact with acids from alcohol, chromophore is created which stains teeth. Red wine also contributes to staining teeth due to its high levels of tannins, causing discoloration.
Out of all the foods and drinks listed so far, alcohol by far has the most possible damages. When drinking alcohol, pairing it with water helps to mitigate the effects of dry mouth and increase salivary flow. Drinking alcohol with a straw can also decrease the amount of contact between the liquid and the teeth, reducing the staining effects.
5. Candies and Cracked Teeth
Crunching on hard foods like candies and nuts also significantly increases the chances of chipping a tooth. A recent study found that participants who ate these types of hard foods had a significantly larger number of cracked teeth. For this reason, it’s also important to not chew on ice while drinking.
Additionally, sticky candies like caramel and taffy have the potential to pull out dental fillings. Sticky candies can also leave behind fragments on the teeth that require brushing and flossing to remove them.
6. Conclusion
Following the ever-increasing consumption of carbonated drinks, concerns about oral health are becoming more and more prevalent. From tooth erosion to discoloration, what people eat and drink plays an important role in maintaining healthy teeth. When consuming harmful foods and drinks such as sodas, candies, and alcohol, it’s important to implement healthy practices that limit their impact, like drinking water, using toothpicks and dental floss, and brushing regularly.
