As an adult, your teeth are one of the most important assets you have. They’re not just important for speaking, eating, and looking good — they also serve as an indicator of how healthy your body is overall. And while there are some foods that are actually good for your teeth, there are also a number of foods that have the opposite effect on them over time. The key to maintaining strong teeth and avoiding cavities down the road lies in understanding which foods do the most damage to your enamel and what you can do to avoid them as much as possible.
Read more: Foods Bad For Teeth Enamel: What Foods Ruin My Tooth Enamel?
Processed Sugar
We all know that processed sugar is bad for our teeth. When we eat sugary foods, the bacteria in our mouths create acids that attack and break down our tooth enamel. This can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and eventually tooth loss. So how can we avoid these sugary traps? Here are a few tips:
1. Avoid sugary drinks like soda, energy drinks, and fruit juices. Instead, opt for water or unsweetened tea.
2. When you do eat sugary foods, make sure to brush your teeth afterwards. This will help remove the sugar from your teeth and reduce the risk of cavities.
3. Don’t chew on hard candy or mints too often.
Fruit Juices
You might think that fruit juices are good for your teeth because they contain natural sugars and acids. However, these juices can actually damage your teeth by eroding the enamel. Enamel is the hard, outer layer of your teeth that protects them from decay. Once it’s eroded, it can’t be repaired. To protect your tooth enamel, drink juice or any other sugary drinks in moderation. Drink water between sips of sugary drinks to help reduce acid levels in your mouth.
Carbonated Drinks
It’s no secret that carbonated drinks are bad for your teeth. The sugar and acid in these drinks can damage tooth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to cavities. But you might not know that diet sodas can be just as damaging to your teeth as regular sodas. In fact, a study published in the Journal of General Dentistry found that diet sodas can actually erode tooth enamel more than regular sodas.
Tea & Coffee
You might think that tea and coffee are good for your teeth because they contain fluoride. However, the tannins in tea and coffee can actually contribute to tooth enamel erosion. Tannins are plant-based compounds that can bind to proteins, and they’re what give tea and coffee their astringent taste. When tannins bind to teeth, they can create microscopic cracks in the enamel. These cracks allow bacteria to enter and cause tooth decay. So while tea and coffee may be good for your overall health, they’re not so great for your teeth.
Alcohol
Most people think that alcohol is good for your teeth because it’s a natural disinfectant. However, what most people don’t realize is that alcohol dries out your mouth, which can lead to bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. Alcohol also erodes tooth enamel, which makes your teeth more susceptible to cavities. If you’re going to drink alcohol, make sure to brush your teeth afterwards and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Sports Drinks
Your favourite sports drink may be doing more harm to your teeth than good. That’s because many sports drinks are high in acid, which can eat away at tooth enamel. If you’re going to drink a sports drink, be sure to rinse your mouth out with water afterwards. And, of course, brush your teeth regularly to keep them healthy and strong.
Energy Bars & Protein Bars
We all know that sugary snacks are terrible for our teeth, but did you know that some so-called healthy foods can also be bad for your teeth? Energy bars and protein bars may be packed with nutrients, but they’re also often high in sugar. That means they can contribute to tooth decay and cavities. So next time you’re looking for a healthy snack, make sure to check the label for sugar content. Your teeth will thank you!
