Many foods contain acids and sugars that are bad for your teeth. In this post we look at seven common foods you may not know are causing damage to your teeth:
• Ice: Ice cubes often come in a glass with a drink. Biting on these hard ice cubes is disastrous for your teeth. The hard edges of broken ice damage the enamel of your teeth and you run the risk of chipping crowns or teeth.
• Dried fruit: Although fruit is generally considered healthy, it is a source of acid-producing bacteria. These natural sugars can harm your teeth.
• Starchy foods: These include bread, chips, and pasta. They are made of refined carbohydrates which are quickly broken down into sugars by saliva. These foods often get stuck between your teeth which contributes to the formation of cavities.
• Alcohol, coffee, and energy drinks: These beverages destroy the teeth more than we realize. Alcohol and other caffeinated energy drinks dry out the mouth, accelerating the formation of cavities. The result is the loss of teeth and inflammation of the gums. Coffee not only stains the teeth but increases acidity in the mouth which weakens the enamel.
• Candy: The high acid content of sweets and sugary snacks is very harmful to the enamel on your teeth. After eating sweets, it is also not wise to brush your teeth right away, as this risks damaging the weakened enamel of your teeth. This also applies to foods such as lemon and lime.
• Soft drinks: The sugars, carbon dioxide, and dyes are a dangerous combination for your teeth. Soft drinks are full of sugarsthat are very harmful to the teeth. The carbon dioxide in carbonated drinks attacks the tooth enamel. In addition, the food dyes in soft drinks cause stains and discoloration of teeth.
• Colored foods: The dyes in certain foods can cause discoloration of the teeth. Beets and berries are good examples. Any food that stains your clothes can also discolor your teeth.
If you do want to enjoy a glass of soda or candy now and then, make sure to drink a glass of water afterward. This will rinse off the sugars to help protect your teeth. It will also wash down some of the residual foods from your mouth. If you have any questions or doubts about the use of certain foods, get in touch with us today.