We all know that sweets and sodas will rot your teeth. But, did you know there are some relatively healthy foods, that most of us eat everyday, that can also damage teeth?
The following foods should not be avoided (because they are actually good for you), but they should be eaten with caution.
1. Ice
How bad can frozen water be for teeth? Honestly, it’s not great. The extreme cold and hardness of ice can chip away at your tooth enamel, which is the protective surface on teeth. Chewing and crunching on ice wears down tooth enamel, leading to fractured teeth.
2. Almonds
They may be a great source of vitamin E and healthy fats, but when it comes to teeth, whole almonds can put a lot of stress on teeth. Reach for slivered almonds instead because they are easier on the jaw and less likely to crack your teeth.
3. Citrus fruits and strawberries
Citrus fruits and strawberries pack a series punch of vitamin C and fiber, but their acidity is hard on tooth enamel. When enamel becomes eroded, little can be done to restore it. Eroded enamel will also make you more susceptible to cavities and tooth sensitivity.
If you do eat citrus fruits and strawberries, rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth afterwards.
4. Pickles
It’s not surprising that sweet pickled foods are bad for your teeth. After all, there’s a large amount of sugar in those items. But did you know that dill pickles and other sour pickled foods can be just as bad? The culprit in pickles is acid which, again, can wear down enamel.
In addition to the earlier suggestions about brushing or rinsing, you can also eat a piece of cheese to combat the effects of acid.
5. Red wine
When consumed in small amounts, red wine has some great heart-healthy benefits, but those benefits do not extend to your teeth. Not only does red wine tend to stain teeth, but it too contains sugar and acid. If you plan to indulge, brush, rinse, or chew gum afterward.
6. Dried fruit
Dried fruits are a great source of fiber, but most commercially dried fruit contains a large amount of sugar. Unlike fresh fruit, which also contains sugar, dried fruit’s sticky consistency causes the fruit to adhere to your teeth’s surfaces. This concentrated sugar pressed against your teeth invites bacteria that cause cavities.
7. Old-fashioned white bread
While all breads contain sugars and can be bad for your teeth, the old-fashioned white bread that you can roll into a ball is the worst. If you’ve ever eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and pressed the bread up against the roof of your mouth, you’ll notice it sticks there like glue.
When this happens in the pockets of your teeth, you’re inviting the bacteria that causes cavities. While this is also possible with whole-grain breads, it’s less likely to occur because of the bread’s tougher consistency.
Conclusion
Taking care of your teeth is critical to your overall health. However, foods that are healthy for your body are not always great for your teeth. We don’t recommend cutting these foods from your diet, but we do recommend you change how you eat them.
About THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®
THE SCIENCE OF SMILES® offers affordable cosmetic and laser dentistry and gentle, compassionate general dental care in Pasadena, CA. Our office is conveniently situated with extended hours to meet your needs. At THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®, we offer most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures, complete dental rebuilding and TMJ/ Headache management. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover affordable up-to-date dentistry and a team who truly cares at THE SCIENCE OF SMILES®.
