7 foods that are bad for your teeth

It really is true that you are what you eat, especially for your teeth and gums. Some foods feed the plaque with sugar in your mouth that can later cause cavities and later on, tooth decay. You can be affected no matter your age, so here is a list of foods that you should stay away from or at least limit yourself to keep your teeth as healthy as possible.

The foods we will list below are not necessarily bad for your health, but our doctors recommend that you brush your teeth, floss, and rinse your mouth after consuming these food items to help prevent cavities from forming.

Sticky candies and sweets

If you definitely can’t stay away from sweets and candy, go for those that quickly dissolve in your mouth. Candy that stays in your mouth for a while, such as caramels, lollipops, hard candies, and jelly beans, makes it harder for your saliva to wash away the sugar. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can be a good alternative since it washes off your teeth faster than other sweets.

Big shoutout to hard candy since it is the least favorite treat for any dentist! It can take about 10 minutes to dissolve and they are most likely to crack your teeth.

Ice

Even though it contains no sugar, chewing on hard substances can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency. Tip: use ice for chilling, not chewing!

Citrus fruits and intakes

Maybe eating fruits is part of your diet, but the truth is that frequent exposure to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time. Make sure to be drinking plenty of water and if you’re drinking a juice, use a straw to avoid some of the acidity.

‘’Crunchy’’ snacks

These are simple carbs that break into sugar and get trapped in your teeth, causing them to erode. If you choose to take this kind of snacks, take extra time to floss that day to remove all the food pieces that can lead to plaque build-up.

Soft drinks

All soft drinks, whether they contain sugar or not, will have acid that can wear away our teeth covering called enamel. If you are drinking a soft drink, try to drink alongside a cup of water and wash your mouth immediately after.

Wine

Both red and white wine contain erosive acid which also works to soften the enamel. If you know you are going to drink wine, brush your teeth beforehand to help reduce the amount of plaque that the wine can stick to.

Pickles

Pickled foods use vinegar which contains acid, which is part of the pickling process. This acid can cause staining as well as erosion of your teeth. Also, many pickled foods contain sugar which also contributes to deep cavities.

Pro tips: eat sweets with meals, drink more water, brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once a day, and never forget to visit your dentist for a dental checkup. Contact I Love My Dentist to schedule now with our doctors!

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