THE 10 MOST CARIOGENIC FOODS (# 4 IS VERY COMMON) - NUTRITION - 2024

The cariogenic foods are products that facilitate the production ingest tooth decay assuming a risk to our dental health. In this article I will show you a list of the 10 most common. When it comes to preventing tooth decay, it is important to know which foods are the ones that pose the greatest threat to our dental health.

In addition to maintaining proper oral hygiene, removing plaque with effective and frequent cleaning, using toothpastes and fluoride rinses, and visiting the dentist regularly, it is advisable to pay attention to the food we eat during our meals, as these are a key factor when it comes to preventing tooth decay.

Among the various factors that predispose each person to acquire this widespread dental disease, the quality of the diet is one of the fundamental factors.

In this regard, it is recommended to eat a balanced diet, opting for natural foods that facilitate natural cleansing through our own salivation, and above all avoid cariogenic foods.

What factors influence a food to be cariogenic?

When evaluating to what extent a food is cariogenic, we must take into account several factors. Among them, it is convenient to analyze the characteristics of the food, among which we find its level of:

Adhesiveness

The more “sticky” the food is, the more time our teeth will spend in contact and the easier it will be for them to act negatively on them.

Consistency

Hard and fibrous foods like apples or carrots help with natural cleansing by creating saliva, while soft foods like cookies or chocolate tend to make the mouth more dirty.

Size of the particles that form them

Compounds of small particles have a greater chance of remaining between cavities after cleaning.

Moment in which we eat the food

The cariogenicity of a food is greater if it is eaten as a snack between meals, rather than as part of breakfast, lunch or dinner.

This is due to the fact that during meals there is more salivation and we normally spend more time chewing the different foods that make up the plate, which also produces a greater movement that accelerates the elimination of waste.

Frequency of eating potentially harmful foods

As it is logical, the more frequently we eat cariogenic foods, the more possibilities exist for the formation of cavities.

What foods should we avoid then? Broadly speaking, the cariogenic food par excellence is sugar, especially in a high index with respect to other components of the product and in combination with carbohydrates.

With this in mind, if we want to reduce the risk of tooth decay through a change in our eating habits, we should pay special attention to the following foods.

Most common cariogenic foods

Candies and sweets

They are the food with the highest percentage of sugar and therefore, the most dangerous for our teeth.

If you do not want to completely eliminate their intake, it is recommended to choose those that disappear quickly from the mouth, avoid chewing them at all costs and do not consume those that stick to the teeth easily, such as jelly beans or licorice.

Carbonated soft drinks

Drinks such as cola, orangeade or similar (any sweet soda with bubbles) contain a high amount of sugar and being liquid, they get into the interdental cavities.

Diet or light sodas and those without bubbles can also increase the risk of cavities, since their consumption reduces tooth enamel and does not provide any of the beneficial qualities for our teeth that water has when we drink it.

French fries, bread and crackers

Starch-refined carbohydrates have the ability to transform into sugars; therefore, they are considered cariogenic foods especially if teeth are not cleaned after eating them between meals.

Concentrated fruit juices or with added sugars

Despite the multiple benefits that natural fruit juices provide, it is increasingly common to find juices based on concentrates or with added sugars in homes.

In many cases, these packaged juices provide ingredients that sweeten their flavor to make them more attractive, but many of the original properties of the fruit (such as fiber or high vitamin value) are eliminated.

Therefore, it is advisable to choose natural juices and drink them in moderation, or at least review the ingredients of packaged juices to choose those with the lowest percentage of sugar.

Chocolates and bonbons

Despite their exquisite flavor, chocolates and bonbons are highly cariogenic foods due to their very high sugar level and, above all, to the soft and sticky texture, easily adherent to the teeth, which they present in most cases.

The best option to avoid cavities is to choose chocolates with as little sugar as possible.

Ice cream, shakes and slushies

As with soft drinks and concentrated juices, ice creams melt easily in the mouth and become liquid, making it easier for sugary residue to get between your teeth as much as smoothies.

Among its varieties, the most cariogenic flavors are those with a higher concentration of sugar, such as chocolate or dulce de leche, and those that use sugary cream bases or flavored slush water. Choose those that have a low sugar index and your teeth will thank you.

Breakfast cereals or energy bars

In most breakfast cereals or cereal bars we will find honey or sugar as part of its ingredients.

Its texture makes it easier for the remains to stick to the teeth, so after consuming them, a thorough brushing of the teeth is recommended, with special attention to the molars.

Pastries

Croissants, donuts, cakes, pies and cakes are also among the foods with a higher sugar and carbohydrate index, and on many occasions, especially if they are industrially manufactured, they do not contain a healthy nutritional value.

They are of course included in the list of cariogenic foods and we should moderate their intake.

Excess sugar or honey in coffee or infusions

Neither infusions nor coffee carry the increased risk of cavities per se, but we hardly ever drink these beverages alone. We always add sugar or honey to sweeten its flavor, so we must be careful with the quantities.

Being liquid, they will penetrate more easily between the teeth, and if they are taken in excess between meals they could pose a threat to our dental health.

Dry fruits

Dried plums, figs or raisins can also become a danger to our teeth due to their sticky texture, high sugar level and because it is common to eat them as a snack between meals. When eating them it is advisable to wash your teeth afterwards.

Natural protection

In addition to these tips, keep in mind that there are also foods that have an inhibitory effect on cariogenic processes. Contrary to what happens with those mentioned in this list, they create a positive effect by preventing the accumulation of plaque and debris, and benefit protection against cavities thanks to their properties.

The main components that increase the natural protection of our body against cavities are: fluoride (either in food or administered topically in a rinse or denitrify), foods with calcium and phosphorus (prevent demineralization of the tooth), and foods that provide good levels of iron and protein.

References

1. Caries Protective Foods: A Futurist Perspective. KS Sandhu, N Gupta, P Gupta, V Arora, N Mehta - International Journal, 2014 - ijahs.net
2. Food Composition and Food Cariogenicity Factors Affecting the Cariogenic Potential of Foods. Edmondson EMS Caries Research Vol. 24, No. Suppl. 1, Year 1990 (Cover Date: 1990)
3. Food, dietary habits and dental health. European Food Information Council. EUFIC REVIEW 11/2003
4. Image source.