There are the obvious foods—candies, sugary drinks—but keeping your teeth clean and healthy can become harder when you’re an adult with a lot more of your day-to-day foods going on the do-not-eat list. There is more sugar and acid in foods we eat than we realize, and it can spell disaster for our teeth if we’re not careful to be mindful of what touches our teeth.
The most damaging substances to teeth tend to be sugar and acid.
Acid wears down delicate and irreplaceable tooth enamel while sugar attracts bacteria that can break down tooth material while it feasts on the sugar residue left behind. And there is sugar and acid in a lot more than just candy and soda.
Below are 5 of the most damaging foods when it comes to your oral health.
Candy and Sweets
Even a cursory visit to the dentist usually ends with warnings about sugary foods and nothing is more full of sugar than candy. It’s an easy one to pick out and likely an easy one to avoid most of the time. But other things such as cake, cookies, pies, and soft drinks are also full of sugar and might be consumed on a more frequent basis as part of parties, the end of dinner, or throughout the day. It seems there is always a reason to indulge I a sweet, so try and keep your teeth in mind. The goal is to have a healthy mouth for life.
Wine
While it’s true that red wine can have the same staining effect on your teeth as coffee, both red and white wine are bad news for your teeth. This is probably not what most adults want to hear. Wine contains an erosive acid which can do a number on your enamel. Red wine worsens this thanks to its tannins which are responsible for the progressive staining of your teeth. It helps if you rinse your mouth with water after drinking wine.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus is great for a lot of things and gives us a whole host of necessary vitamins but too much of it can be harmful to your teeth. Citrus fruits contain citric acid which is harmful to your tooth enamel. Some citrus fruits are more damaging than others with lemons, limes, and grapefruits at the higher end of the acidic scale. The health benefits of citrus far outweigh the cons so you may want to make it common practice to rinse your mouth with water after eating citrus and avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes.
Dried Fruits
Unfortunately, dried fruit may be a big part of your healthy snacking throughout the day but they have a dark side. Dried fruit is usually loaded with extra sugar on top of any of the sugar already present in a fruit (which is usually a fair amount). The gummy texture can also cause this sugary substance to cling to your teeth for longer and do lasting damage.
Pickled Foods
A staple on the side of lunch sandwiches and on top of burgers, the pickle and any other pickled food is a one-two punch on your teeth. Not only do pickled foods contain high levels of vinegar which is damaging acid for teeth, pickle brine also usually contains a fair amount of sugar which attracts bacteria that can break down enamel and cause cavities.
Related Questions
How are my gums affected by damaging foods?
If you have an excess of sugary foods and don’t properly clean your teeth afterwards, plaque will start to form at the base of your teeth which is filled with bacteria. These bacteria can eat away at your gums and even cause infection.
How can I keep my teeth and gums healthy?
Avoid sugary and acidic foods when possible. Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Floss regularly. See your dentist regularly and don’t forget the water. Rinsing your mouth after eating is always a good idea.
If you have concerns about your teeth and gums, it’s important to address them with your dentist. The sooner dental issues are addressed and treated, the better. Our Walled Lake Dental Office has been keeping mouths healthy for more than 40 years. Dr. Hechtman and his supportive dental staff want you to keep your teeth for life.
Our services include children’s dentistry, cosmetic dentistry such as veneers and dental braces, dental treatments to restore your smile and use the most leading-edge dental technology. Call to schedule a Free Consultation today!