While it may seem obvious that sweets are terrible for your teeth, you may not have considered some of the other foods that cause plaque buildup and tooth decay, like highly acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits. If you want to avoid getting cavities and gum disease, it’s important to keep an eye on what you’re eating—especially if you have teeth-grinding habits or other oral health issues like receding gums or dry mouth. Let’s take a look at five of the worst offenders when it comes to causing tooth decay and plaque buildup, starting with.
Read more: Foods That Cause Plaque On Teeth
Nuts
When you eat nuts, the enamel on your teeth takes a beating. That’s because they’re extremely hard, and as you chew them, they can wear down the enamel. Nuts are also sticky, so they can stick to your teeth and cause cavities. If you must eat nuts, be sure to brush your teeth afterwards. You might want to invest in an electric toothbrush with a timer if you have trouble remembering when to brush after eating certain foods.
Spinach
Popeye was onto something when he ate spinach for strength. This leafy green is loaded with vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. But it’s also high in oxalates, which can bind to calcium and prevent your body from absorbing it. That means eating spinach could actually lead to weaker bones and teeth. So if you’re looking to keep your smile strong, you might want to limit your spinach intake. The same goes for other dark greens like kale, swiss chard, and collard greens.
Beans
When it comes to plaque-forming foods, beans are near the top of the list. That’s because they’re sticky, which means they cling to your teeth and are tough to remove. But that’s not all: Beans are also high in sugar, which can lead to cavities. So if you’re going to eat beans, be sure to brush afterwards. You could also use a toothpaste with whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide, fluoride or stannous fluoride.
What else is on the worst food list? Chocolate: It contains caffeine, which can weaken tooth enamel. And yes, those M&Ms will only end up on your teeth for a few minutes before being swallowed but that doesn’t mean they won’t cause damage during that time!
Peanuts
Peanuts are a great source of fiber, Vitamins E and B6, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and copper. They are also rich in antioxidants that can protect the teeth against damage caused by free radicals. One study showed that people who ate peanuts every day had significantly less tooth decay than those who didn’t eat them.
Additionally, Peanuts are high in protein which helps to form dentin — the tough outer layer of the tooth — and inhibit bacterial growth. In addition to providing benefits for dental health , nuts also provide key nutrients such as cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fatty acids ( MUFA ), potassium , dietary fibre , polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), vitamins A&D 3 , vitamin K2 .
So why not add some peanuts into your daily routine? You may be surprised at just how beneficial they can be for your oral care!
Cheese
While cheese can be a good source of calcium, it also contains acid that can eat away at tooth enamel. The bacteria in your mouth love cheese, too, and will use it as fuel to create plaque. So while you might enjoy a nice piece of cheddar with your crackers, know that it’s not doing your teeth any favours. But don’t let the bad news keep you from enjoying all those cheeses out there – the key is moderation. After all, what you eat applies to more than just nutrients!
