Top 7 Worst Foods For Your Teeth

We’ve all heard the advice over the years about which foods to avoid if we don’t want our teeth to rot. In school, you were probably told to avoid candy and sugary drinks. But some foods are just as damaging to your teeth, and might not be as obvious. We’ll list some of these foods, and explain why they’re bad for your teeth.

1. Soda

Soda is bad for your teeth for two reasons. The first is the natural acidity of soda which can erode your tooth enamel in only a short exposure time. The other reason is the sugar in soda, which causes the bacteria in your mouth to release their own acid, which can further damage your teeth. Also, soda can stain your teeth, even if you drink light colored beverages.

2. Fruit Juices

The acid from the fruits in these juices can erode the enamel of your teeth and lead to cavities. In addition, they can also stain your teeth, so if you choose to drink fruit juices for the health benefits, brush and floss afterwards.

3. Citrus Fruit

Citrus fruit, like oranges, lemons and limes, contain citric acid, which can damage your teeth. While these foods are good for you overall, they can erode the enamel in your teeth very quickly, especially if they’re consumed over a long period rather than in one sitting.

4. Chewy Candy

Chewy candy, especially sticky candy, can adhere to your teeth for an extended length of time. This gives the bacteria in your mouth time to consume the sugar in the candy, which causes them to release acid, which can cause cavities by wearing down your tooth enamel.

5. Hard Candy

Hard candies hang around in your mouth, slowly dissolving while releasing sugar, which of course causes acid to form, and leads to tooth damage. In addition, hard candies can directly damage your teeth, causing cracks and chipping if they’re chewed.

6. Pickles

The acid in the vinegar used in the pickling process can damage your teeth and lead to excessive wear. If you must eat them, eat them sparingly, and brush and floss afterwards.

7. Sports drinks

Sports drinks are not a good alternative to soda, as they contain as much, if not more than acid as soda. In addition, they often contain sugar as well, which can do additional damage to your teeth.

These foods and drinks can lead to severe tooth damage over time, including enamel erosion and cavities. They’re fine in moderation for the most part, but for the best dental health, you should avoid sweets like candy and soda. If you do consume these, brush and floss afterwards and of course see your dentist at least twice a year. Community Dental Group is here to serve all of your oral care needs, from a simple cleaning to filling cavities, we do it all. We look forward to serving you soon.