Foods That Damage Teeth and Gums Of Seniors

Your teeth are designed to last you a lifetime, and with consistent and correct dental hygiene, regular visits to the dentist and a healthy diet, you can keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition for years to come. So, it is not inevitable that seniors have to get dentures or implants - with a bit of effort, you can keep your pearly whites looking great!

It's a simple fact: to keep your teeth healthy, you need to take good care of them. That means brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. However, you can give yourself an extra edge in protecting your teeth and gums by being mindful of your diet and beverage choices. This is true for everyone, but for seniors there are even more important considerations.

Seniors often suffer from dry mouth, a condition in which they produce less saliva than usual. This can be caused by inadequate hydration, or as a side effect of certain medications. Left unchecked, dry mouth can have a damaging effect on dental and gum health, as saliva helps to break down food and protect teeth and gums. To avoid this, seniors should ensure they drink plenty of water and maintain good oral hygiene. Additionally, those with dentures and missing teeth must take extra care when choosing their diet, as certain foods can cause greater harm to teeth and gums.

Candies and Sweets

Sucking on lollipops, candy and gum for an extended amount of time can be destructive for your teeth. Instead, grabbing sugarless gum may be a better alternative, but not so great if you have dentures, crowns, etc. Caramel and other sticky candy is particularly bad. A great way to satisfy your sweet tooth is dark chocolate with over 75% cocoa content. Not only does it have considerably less sugar, it can also be easily brushed away. But the best part is, dark chocolate has even been linked to some positive health benefits.

Crunchy Foods

Crunchy and starchy snacks like chips and pretzels may seem like a tasty treat, but they can be bad news for your teeth and gums. Not only can they damage weakened teeth, they can also leave a starchy residue between your teeth and on your gums, leading to tooth decay and plaque build up. Plus, they are usually packed with calories and sugar, which can wreak havoc on your blood sugar level. If you can't resist crunching on something, prechill your drink and skip the ice - it won't do your teeth any favours!

Carbonated Soft Drinks

It’s no secret that soft drinks like the “real thing” are not great for your teeth. Laden with sugar and acid, they can cause significant tooth decay and wreak havoc on your blood sugar. But why not turn to a healthier option instead? Herbal tea-infused unsweetened seltzer is a great alternative and can help keep your teeth and body healthy.

Acidic Foods and Beverages

Citrus fruits and drinks may be nutritious and beneficial to your overall health, but they have a downside. The high concentration of citric acid they contain can be harmful to your teeth and gums, potentially leading to tooth decay and damage, bleeding gums, and mouth sores. To protect your oral health, it is best to limit your intake of citrus foods and drinks, and drink plenty of water when you do have them.

If you're a coffee or tea lover, unfortunately, both beverages are acidic. Even decaffeinated coffee and tea are still considered acidic. To minimize the acidity, try adding plenty of milk to your coffee and avoiding sugar. For a better alternative, try some herbal teas; hot or cold, they make a great beverage choice!

Foods To Avoid If You Have Dentures

popcorn, hard candy, and sticky candyDentists suggest avoiding popcorn, hard candy, and sticky candy, as these can damage your gums and may cause denture breakage.

Cracking through a nut with your teeth takes a lot of force, which can really irritate your gums. Chewing on them with your molars puts a lot of pressure on one side of your mouth, which can cause dentures to crack, pop out of place, or even fall out. Additionally, tiny seeds can get stuck between dentures and gums, causing sores and proving to be a real nuisance.

Biting into hard fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, celery, corn on the cob, and coconut can be tough on your dentures! It takes a lot of force to break the crunchy surface, so be careful to protect your dental work when indulging in these nutritious snacks.

Sticky food can be a nightmare for denture wearers, especially when sticky substances like peanut butter, taffy, chewing gum, fruit paste, and caramel get stuck to the surface of the dentures. Not only can they be difficult to remove, but they can also cause the dentures to become misaligned.

Seniors with dentures should steer clear of any grilled steak, chewy pork chops, and barbecue ribs that could prove difficult to chew.