IMPACT OF FAST FOODS ON ORAL HEALTH

In recent times, Fast foods have become a regular part of people’s diet. It is no longer food relished occasionally, but you can find people having these fatty foods daily. The extra spicy and relishing taste of pizzas, burgers, hotdogs and fries makes your mouth watery and what adds to it is that people have become so busy in their lives that they prefer these foods that require less preparation time. People fail to realize that though these junk foods satisfy their taste buds yet leave a bad impact on their dental health and physical health. Here is a detailed overview of how fast food affects your oral health.

Fast foods are so sticky and form Plaque

The pizzas and cheese sandwiches hardly leave your teeth even after you chew and swallow them. The sticky nature of these junk foods leaves pieces of food sticking in between your teeth, and sometimes they also stick in the gaps between your teeth and gums. If you leave the debris as such, harmful bacteria in the mouth accumulate in these regions and cause plaque build-up. Hence it is advised to brush and floss your teeth after consuming such sticky fast foods to remove the debris and prevent plaque formation.

Junk Foods are high in Sugar and Salt

Most junk foods have elevated levels of carbohydrates and starch. The sugar and salt are also present in excess that enhance the taste of the food but damage the dental health. The harmful bacteria in the mouth feed on these sugars and convert them into harmful acids that attack the enamel and weaken the outer protective layer of the teeth.

Highly Acidic Foods causing Enamel Erosion

These fatty foods are not only high in sugar and salt but are also quite acidic. Mostly these fast foods are consumed with sodas or colas. These carbonated drinks are again acidic that stain the teeth. Teeth stains render a shabby appearance to your smile and also weaken the enamel. Enamel is the protective layer of the teeth that is rich in calcium, but the acids from these foods and drinks wear away the enamel.

Cause Cavities and Teeth Sensitivity

When the sugars and acids wear away the enamel, cavities are formed, and the inner tissues of the teeth are exposed. Harmful bacteria in cavities keep destroying the tissues of the teeth and reach the roots decaying roots the teeth. When the outer protective layer of teeth gets worn out, and inner roots get exposed, whatever you eat or drink reaches the roots. This leads to teeth sensitivity whenever you consume hot or cold foods and drinks.

Gum Diseases

As already mentioned, sticky junk foods form plaque as the debris accumulate between the teeth and gums. The formation of plaque and leaving it untreated is one of the prime causes of gum diseases. Bacteria in the plaque cause inflammation gums, and your gums bleed when you brush the teeth. It is known as Gingivitis, but when the plaque hardens and forms tartar, it causes a severe Periodontitis gum disease.

Bad Breath

When plaque accumulates in between the teeth and gum diseases prevail, your mouth emits bad breath. Sometimes if the gum diseases are severe, along with the breath, the taste also gets impacted.

Thus fast foods have a very unhealthy impact on your dental health and overall oral health. Limit the consumption of junk foods and whenever you consume them, rinse your mouth, brush and floss your teeth to prevent sticking of foods and flush off the harmful acids that erode the enamel. Proper dental hygiene can limit the maximum of dental infections. If your teeth have been impacted, or you feel the presence of oral infections, visit our dental clinic, The Elite Dental Care, one of the leading dental clinics in Tracy, California for your dental treatments and correction of tooth imperfections.