People say you are what you eat. And the fact is, it can be seen in your teeth before it appears anywhere else. Many foods and beverages you consume can cause tooth staining and discoloration, plaque buildup, etc., which can cause serious damage to your teeth. Plaque is a bacteria-filled sticky film that causes tooth decay and gum disease. If you eat a sugary or sticky meal, the sugars cause the bacteria to release acids that breakdown your tooth’s enamel, leading to cavities.

Everyone knows that chocolates and candy aren’t great for your teeth. But did you know that sour food is worse to your teeth than sugary ones? Read our blog to know more about ten foods that can do the most damage to your teeth.

 

  • Lemons and limes: The pH of straight lemons is 2. If you suck on limes or lemons or limes using your front teeth, it can erode the enamel of the front surface of your tooth. It can also make your teeth sensitive and discolored.
  • Sugary soda: Soda contains sugar, phosphoric acid, and citric acids. When you drink sugary soda, they break down the teeth’s surface; so you’re washing the teeth with acid.
  • Sour Candies: Candies are bad for your teeth. Sour candy contains more kinds of acids and is more damaging and tougher on your teeth. When you chew them for long, they stick to your teeth and are more likely to cause decay.
  • Bread: When you chew bread, saliva breaks down starches into sugar. After getting transformed into a gummy paste-like substance, the bread adheres to the crevices and spaces between your teeth, leading to cavities. If you’re craving carbs, consume less-refined varieties like whole wheat instead of bread. Whole wheat contains less added sugars and is not as bad as carbs.
  • Alcohol: In addition to the harm that alcohol can do to your body, it can dry out your mouth too. We need saliva to keep our teeth healthy as it prevents food from sticking to our teeth by washing away food particles. Saliva in the mouth can also help to repair early signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral infections. Always stay hydrated and use fluoride rinses and oral hydration solutions to prevent drying out of the mouth.
  • Ice: Though ice contains only water, it’s not healthy to chew it. As per the American Dental Association, chewing on hard substances like ice can damage enamel and cause dental emergencies such as cracked, chipped, broken teeth, or loosened crowns.
  • Potato Chips: Munching on potato chips while watching our favorite TV show or while relaxing is satisfying to many of us. However, they are not good for our teeth as they’re loaded with starch, which becomes sugar that can get caught in and between the teeth and feed the bacteria in the plaque.
  • Dried Fruits: Though dried fruits are a healthy snack for the body, they can adversely affect your teeth as most of them are sticky and can get stuck on your teeth, leaving behind lots of sugar. It is important to rinse your mouth with water and then brush and floss after if you eat dried fruits. It is a better choice to eat the fresh versions instead of dried fruits as they are less concentrated with sugar.
  • Coffee and tea: Coffee and tea, in their natural form, can be healthy beverage choices. However, adding sugar to them can make it an unhealthy option.  Caffeinated coffee and tea can also dry out your mouth and can stain your teeth. If you do consume these beverages, drink plenty of water and keep the add-ons to a minimum.
  • Sports drinks: Though sports drinks are good in providing energy and are helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged, vigorous physical activities, they can harm your teeth as they contain sugar as a top ingredient. Therefore, if you want to consume one, check the label to ensure that your drink is low in sugar or drink water.

 

Your dentist at Focus Dental Group can help you keep your teeth in great shape and help you break any bad habits. To learn more about what foods to avoid to protect your oral health, book an appointment with us today.

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