Gum health is equally as important as your teeth health. These two aspects of oral health are closely related. In general, the food that negatively affects our teeth also negatively affects our gums. Gum disease is often caused by plaque, bacterias, and food particles that coat your teeth. Some products increase plaque on the teeth and promote bacterias’ growth. Reduce the consumption of products below to ensure good health of teeth and gums. 

1. Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are high in acids and natural fruit sugars. These ingredients damage the gum and cause enamel erosion. To reduce the effect of sugars and acid after eating citrus fruit rinse your mouth with water. Thus you can wash them away from the mouth. 

There are other non-acidic ways to get vitamin C. You may take supplements with vitamin C or get it from non-acidic vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, and peas.

2. Tomatoes 

While tomato has many health benefits it is also a highly acidic vegetable that may harm your gums. Eating this vegetable is like bathing your teeth in acid. This raises the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. When eating tomatoes, try to mix them with other acid-neutralizing foods like mozzarella, lean beef, or chicken. This will help lower the risk of oral health-related problems caused by acids. 

Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after eating tomatoes. Already weakened by acids in tomato, teeth enamel may be damaged.

3. Ice cream

Ice cream negatively affects our gums, especially those that are already vulnerable. Ice cream temperature can irritate the gums in the area where they are already damaged. The root is exposed to hot and cold so you feel discomfort. This doesn’t mean that you must exclude ice cream from your diet, but try to limit its intake. 

High sugar content in the ice cream may also cause teeth problems. You need to brush your teeth after an ice cream or, at least, rinse your mouth with tap water. Thus, you may wash away the remaining sugars from the mouth and prevent bacterias breeding. 

4. Sport drink

Sports drinks are high in sugars and acids. They make you more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease. Moreover, sport drinks also negatively affect your digestion. Abusing sports drinks may increase your risk of irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, and ulcer over time. If you or your relatives often drink sports drinks, then you should look for brands with the lowest sugar content. You may also rinse the mouth with tap water to reduce sugars and acids’ negative effects. 

5. Popcorn

Popcorn is a delicious snack that can easily stack between the tooth and gum. Usually, you can easily get the popcorn out with the toothbrush or floss. However, sometimes husk can damage the gum and cause a gum abscess. This is a painful infection surrounded by swollen tissue filled with pus. If left untreated it may cause tooth hurt and tooth loss. 

6. Bread

White bread, as well as other foods filled with starches, made of white flour, may damage your gums. Bread, crackers, and chips may be equally as harmful to your teeth as candies. These starches dissolve into simple sugars that feed gum disease-causing bacterias.