These Are The Absolute Worst Foods For Your Teeth
Growing up, our parents have constantly reminded us that candies, cookies, and soda are bad for our teeth. We might have thought of them as our sweet tooth’s villain, but they were surely right for forbidding us this harmful sweets as these foods contain sugars and sugar turns into acids, which could damage our teeth.
Aside from sugary foods, there are other foods that contain acids that can ruin your tooth enamel. Read this list, and you might be surprised to know that some of your favorite foods are included here.
#1
They say you are what you eat. And in no better place can that be seen than in your teeth. That’s because many foods and beverages can cause plaque, which does serious damage your teeth. Plaque is a bacteria-filled sticky film that contributes to gum disease and tooth decay. After you eat a sugary snack or meal, the sugars cause the bacteria to release acids that attack tooth’s enamel. When the enamel breaks down, cavities can develop.
Cavities are the most common chronic disease faced by people aged six to 19 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They cause complications like pain, chewing problems, and tooth abscesses. And if you don’t brush or floss your teeth, your plaque will harden and turn into tartar. Tartar above the gums can lead to gingivitis, an early form of gum disease.
How can you prevent plaque from wreaking havoc on your mouth? Besides brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing and visiting a dentist regularly, try to avoid or limit the foods below.
#2 Coffee
Coffee is great for your morning… but it’s also bad for your teeth. Most coffee can stain your teeth, ruining their pristine white color. It also dehydrates you. Dehydration is terrible for your teeth because it means your body produces less saliva; Saliva naturally rinses out your mouth, clearing acids, sugars, and loose food debris clinging to your teeth. And depending on how you take your coffee, it can be full of sugars that can eat away at your teeth.
If you can’t live without coffee, try drinking it black. The less sugar you consume, the better. And be sure to rinse out your mouth after you drink coffee to keep your teeth stain free.
#3 Ice
Are you one of those people who look forward to chomping all the ice at the bottom of your glass? You should rethink your ice munching. While ice may seem like an innocent activity, the dental damage it causes is anything but harmless. Chewing on hard substances like ice and hard candies can lead to cracked and chipped teeth, enamel damage, and destruction of existing dental fillings, crowns, or braces. It can even cause increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages.
Dr. Li also warns that while crunching ice may help with dry mouth, smoking cessation, stress relief, or weight loss, addictive ice crunching could be a symptom of a more serious health condition. “Obsessive ice consumption is a common form of pica, called pagophagia, and could even be a symptom of iron deficiency anemia.”
#4 Sour Candies
It’s not surprising that candy is bad for your mouth. But sour candy contains more and different kinds of acids that are tougher on your teeth. Plus, because they’re chewy, they stick to your teeth for a longer time, so they’re more likely to cause decay. If you’re craving sweets, grab a square of chocolate instead, which you can chew quickly and wash away easily.
#5 Canned fruits
Fruit by itself contains more than enough sugar than the bacteria in our mouth need. However, with canned fruits… manufacturers love to add even more sugar into in the can for a sweet, flavorful taste (and because it aids in the preservation process). Definitely make an effort to avoid canned fruit with added sugar at all costs. If you have to buy canned fruit, then purchase the ones that only contain their own juices.
#6 Wine
While red wine’s antioxidant benefits may leave you feeling even a bit virtuous as you sip, the pigmented substances and tannins that exist in the heart-healthy beverage go above and beyond to stain your teeth.
While you may have already suspected this of red wine—after all, if you’ve ever caught yourself in the mirror after a glass or two and found your entire mouth stained purple, then you already knew—white wine can result in staining, too. Both red and white wines contain erosive fruit acids, which cause other substances to penetrate the teeth more deeply, even after you’ve finished your wine.
#7 Potato Chips
Who doesn’t love the nice, satisfying crunch of a potato chip? Unfortunately potato chips are filled with starch, which tends to get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in snacks like these, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up.
#8 Sports and energy drinks
These are really tough on teeth. They do more acid damage than soda. Sports drinks first, energy drinks second, soda third. It depends on the type of sports drink; some have more citric acid than others. The tests I've seen are on the lemon-lime ones.
Plus, they also have a high amount of sugar. Water is still the most awesome thing on the planet, especially straight out of the tap, due to the fluoride.
#9 Barbecue Sauce
Marinade used for barbecues can make meat softer, which also makes your tooth enamel soft as well. If used abundantly, this sweet, thick sauce can discolor your teeth and promote decay.
To avoid this, use other less harmful methods to prepare your meat. If this is unavoidable—as barbecues could be irresistible—simply brush your teeth right after eating to remove any residue.
