Your smile is one of the most valuable assets you can have, but certain foods can destroy it. While brushing and flossing are essential, what you eat plays a crucial role in maintaining strong, healthy teeth. With that, here are 10 foods that can ruin your teeth.
Note: There is no need to cross them out of your diet, so we’ve provided added protection tips to prevent these foods from destroying your smile.
10. Popcorn
Popcorn presents multiple threats to ruin your pearly whites. The hard kernels you bite on could crack or chip your teeth, especially the unpopped ones. Those thin pieces can also get stuck in between your teeth and along the gum line. This causes irritation that could lead to infection if not removed. With this, opt for air-popped varieties and floss immediately after eating to remove any pieces that get stuck.
9. Refined Carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates like pasta and white bread may seem harmless since they’re soft. However, they break down into simple sugars in your mouth. With that, the sticky and paste-like texture of bread gets stuck in your teeth and gum line when chewed. The decay-causing bacteria feed on these stuck pieces. Opt for whole grains as much as possible and rinse them with water after consuming heavy meals. Flossing also helps to remove that sticky and annoying residue.
8. Starchy Snacks
Starchy snacks refer to potato chips and crackers. They may not taste sweet, but like refined carbohydrates, they break down into simple sugars when chewed. The starchy residue can linger in your mouth for hours as it invades even the hard-to-reach areas that your toothbrush misses. There is no other way to remove them but to brush your teeth and floss thoroughly after eating.
7. Ice
A lot of people enjoy chewing on ice, but this harmless habit can cause serious dental damage. Why? Imagine that it’s hard enough to bite on, and when it does, it could potentially crack or chip your teeth. You would need to get dental work done, like filling the teeth or getting crowns, to treat the damage. There’s no other way to protect your teeth from ice, so resist the urge to chew on them.
6. Dried Fruits
While dried fruits are a better alternative than chips and candies, they’re harmful to the teeth. Why? The dehydration process that these dried fruits underwent concentrates the natural sugars. Meanwhile, the sticky texture allows the sugar to cling to your teeth for hours. Opt for fresh fruits instead, and like always, rinse thoroughly after eating.
5. Carbonated Drinks
Regular soda alone contains a whole lot of sugar, while diet ones are highly acidic. That’s a double storm for tooth decay! Why? The phosphoric and citric acids are harmful to the tooth enamel within minutes of consumption. Use a straw to minimize its contact with your teeth. Wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing to avoid scrubbing your softened enamel.
4. Coffee
Coffee lovers, here’s a reminder. You’ve probably heard this somewhere, but coffee is naturally acidic, which means that it can damage your teeth over time, especially when you enjoy it hot. Adding sugar also makes the problem worse due to the same concerns of harmful bacteria. It also stains your teeth. With this, use a straw and add milk to reduce the acidity levels. Also, limit your drinking.
3. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are naturally packed with vitamin C. It’s supposed to be a good thing, but its high acid content can erode tooth enamel. Citrus juices are more problematic as they come from concentrated sources of acid. With this, eat citrus fruits as part of a meal rather than alone. After eating, rinse with water and avoid brushing immediately.
2. Pickles
Pickles are among the acidic foods that are preserved in vinegar. The acetic acid content in vinegar is strong enough to damage tooth enamel. The prolonged pickling process is also among the reasons that make pickles highly acidic. Regular consumption could lead to enamel erosion, so it’s better to consume them as part of a meal.
1. Sour Candies
Sour candies combine the worst of both worlds: high acidic content and concentrated sugar. The popular ones have a pH as low as 1.6! The citric acid used to create that sour taste attacks the tooth enamel. If you can’t completely avoid them, make sure to eat them quickly than savoring. Rinse immediately with water and wait for at least an hour before brushing your teeth.