5 Foods That Damage Your Teeth

The food that you consume has the potential to damage your teeth. You must have heard the common phrase – you are what you eat. And some of the things you eat can cause the plaque on your teeth to increase and cause cavities which can lead to tooth decay.

The sugar in your food causes the bacteria to release acids in your mouth. These acids can cause damage to your tooth’s enamel and develop cavities. Cavities are a very common issue and can cause abscesses in teeth, chewing problems, and pain. If left untreated, it can also cause serious gum diseases.

A healthy oral routine can keep the bacteria at bay. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is a must. Another thing that you can do to ensure that your teeth remain healthy is to avoid foods that can damage them. Following are some of the foods that are bad for your teeth:

1. Sour Candies

This one is a no-brainer. Sugary candy is always bad for your teeth. But did you know that sour candy is actually worse? Yes, the acids in the sour candies can actually cause more damage to your teeth and accelerate the cavity forming process. Not to mention the fact that these chewy candies stick to your teeth, which gives bacteria more time to plan an attack.

2. Bread

This one may come as a surprise, but bread is not good for your teeth. The starches in the bread are broken down into sugars with your saliva. The gooey paste-like chewed up bread can get stuck in the crevices between your teeth and will be harder to remove, especially if you don’t floss daily. This can cause cavities and damage your teeth.

3. Alcohol

It is common knowledge that alcohol is not healthy. But did you know that alcohol can cause damage to your teeth as well? Yes, alcohol causes your mouth to get dry. Saliva helps prevent your teeth from decay by washing away the food particles. Saliva is also known to fix early stages of oral infections, gum disease, and tooth decay. If you do take an occasional drink, make sure that you drink plenty of water as well.

4. Carbonated Drinks

If you knew how many ounces of sugar there is in one serving of a carbonated drink, you will think twice about drinking them. The amount of sugar in carbonated drinks is really bad for your teeth. These drinks accelerate the acid production in the mouth, causing damage to you your enamel. Ergo, chances of tooth decay increase. Not to mention the fact that dark-colored sodas can stain your teeth and make them look unappealing.

5. Ice

You must be wondering – why is ice on this list? Isn’t it basically water? Well, yes and no. Ice is frozen water and does not contain any excess sugar. However, chewing a hard block of ice can result in dental emergencies like loosened crowns, broken teeth, cracked teeth and chipped teeth. If you have a habit of chewing ice, it is time to break it.

For more information regarding tooth decay, or if you think you may have a cavity, give Smile Brightly Dental a call!  We would love to schedule you an appointment with us and take care of your dental needs.  Please feel free to call us at 586-573-7700!