As you know, there are several foods out there that can damage your teeth if you aren’t careful about consuming them.

Many of these foods can be just as bad for your gums, too. Failing to eat these foods in moderation can lead to gum disease — left untreated, said gum disease can lead to eventual tooth and bone loss.

So alongside your good oral hygiene habits, make sure to avoid (or at least be careful about) your consumption of the following foods.

1. Hard Candy

You may already know that sugar can lead to all sorts of oral problems with both your teeth and gums. Bacteria love sugar — they consume it and turn it into acid that’s bad for your teeth and gums.

Hard candy has plenty of sugar, but sharp pieces of hard candy may stab your gums and cause damage.

Of course, hard candy can lead to chipped or broken teeth in some cases as well.

2. Ice Cream

Everyone’s favorite frozen treat unfortunately poses some risks to your gums. The most obvious is the sugar it contains. However, the cold temperature can also irritate areas where your gums may have already suffered damage or receded.

On top of that, if you’re eating the ice cream out of the cone, the cone itself may poke you in the gums and cause some damage if you aren’t careful.

3. Soda

Soda is a big offender when it comes to poor gum health. Regular sodas contain plenty of acid and sugar which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Additionally, caffeinated sodas can lead to a dry mouth. A dry mouth raises your risk of gum disease because saliva isn’t sweeping bad bacteria out of your mouth.

4. Fruit Juice

Many think that fruit juice is healthy because, well, it comes from fruits. It contains vitamin C, among many other vitamins and minerals.

True, but fruit juice also has a ton of sugar. Additionally, some juices, such as tomato juice and those that come from citrus fruits have a high concentration of acid. These acids can cause the standard tooth and gum issues, but also create painful canker sores.

If you want to drink fruit juice, consider opting for low-sugar versions of low-acid juices like apple and peach.

5. Starchy Carbs

Pasta, bread, and similar starches pose a few threats to your gums. For one, starches quickly turn into sugar, which is, of course, bad for the teeth and gums. Additionally, these foods quickly get stuck in your teeth thanks to their texture. As a result, bacteria can grow and thrive on your teeth, leading to further tooth and gum problems.

Now, you don’t have to cut any of these foods completely. Just make sure to watch what you eat and keep things in moderation.

Moderating these foods won’t help on its own if you aren’t keeping up with your brushing, flossing, rinsing, and of course, your dental visits. The dentist will help you clear out any debris from these and other foods you might miss and catch any oral disease warning signs early. 

Looking for a Philadelphia dentist to check up on and clean your teeth? Schedule your appointment with Absolute Smile today — all new patients get a free consultation.