Processed Food Increases Risk of Cavities

There are a number of reasons to avoid processed foods & your smile is one of them. From kids to adults, overconsumption of these foods & drinks results in poor oral health.

Defining Processed Foods

In order to be considered a processed food, all a food has to do is change from its original state. This includes things like butter, or even dried fruit. But the more processed foods become, the more risk of tooth decay & other maladies. 

This is because ultra-processed foods contain high amounts of additives, such as salt, sugar & artificial ingredients that can be hard to pronounce. Examples of ultra-processed foods include canned goods in syrup, candy & cheeses. Sugar especially is harmful to teeth & in its refined form. It is more directly exposed to enamel & gums than in naturally occurring fruits.

Kid Tested

Children can be especially susceptible to tooth decay caused by poor nutrition. While diets vary, a study showed that children with high levels of processed foods were more likely to develop cavities. 

The main culprit? Candy. Candy, which is especially marketed toward children, is high in processed sugar—sometimes, that’s really all it is. This harms teeth as it is more corrosive than in conjunction with fibrous materials—such as sugars in fruit—& is compounded by the sticky nature most candies have. 

Older, but Wiser?

Being all grown up doesn’t reduce your risk of tooth decay, however. It’s more that children’s diets, especially those in lower socioeconomic groups, have diets high in things like candy & soda, something some of us become more aware of as we attempt to diet properly. 

Keeping those snacks at bay can be tough. Some snacks we think of as savory are still loaded with sugars. As dietary concerns have risen to the forefront of health debates, it is now easier to know which foods to avoid due to laws mandating ingredient lists, nutritional value & regulating what can be labeled “healthy.” 

However, it’s best to use common sense here. Foods that claim to be healthy can often be ultra-processed, & in some cases aren’t really that healthy at all. If it seems like a lot of machinery & chemistry is needed to make what’s about to go in your body, it might be best to leave it aside. 

Simple Solutions

The most obvious solution to preventing processed foods contributing to poor oral health is reduction of consumption. Eating fewer processed foods ensures a lower exposure to harmful sugars & can prolong the lifespan of teeth.

However, even natural foods like raw fruit have a potential to harm teeth & gums. That’s why proper oral hygiene is a must no matter your diet. Regular cleanings at your dentist ensure that plaque buildup over time is removed & kept away from the gumline & other hard-to-brush areas. 

Talk to your dentist for more information on proper diets for great oral health & to schedule a cleaning. 

Sources:
https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nutrit/nuad147/7471577 

https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-processed-foods

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37673335/ 

https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/ultra-processed-foods-without-realising