We’ve written before about the importance of a healthy diet when it comes to great oral health. But sometimes foods that are bad for your teeth may come as a bit of a surprise. Here are the top 9 foods that damage your teeth.

  • Hard candies. The constant exposure to sugar in hard candies can damage your teeth, plus exposing yourself to hard candies can also trigger dental emergencies like chipped teeth or broken teeth. Sugarless gum approved by the ADA is a much better alternative when it comes to snacking.
  • Ice. Plenty of people think that ice is great for their teeth, but chewing on hard substances can make your teeth vulnerable to dental emergencies as well as can damage enamel. Water in liquid form is much better for your health.
  • Citrus. Frequently exposing your teeth to acidic foods can erode enamel, which makes teeth more susceptible to decay. Citric fruits and juices can also irritate mouth sores, so once again, simple water is often the best option.
  • Coffee. Often people add sugar to coffee and tea, and caffeine can dry out your mouth. If you drink a lot of coffee or tea, your teeth may become stained. If you do drink coffee, try to keep sugar to a minimum and be sure to also drink plenty of water.
  • Sticky Foods. Dried fruits and other sticky foods can damage your teeth as they tend to stick on your teeth longer than other types of food. If you do eat dried fruits, trail mix and other sticky foods, make sure that you drink plenty of water and brush and floss carefully.
  • Crunchy Foods. Crunchy foods like potato chips are filled with starch, which can get trapped in your teeth. Be sure that if you eat crunchy, starchy foods that you remember to carefully brush and floss to help prevent plaque build-up.
  • Soda. Sugary drinks allow plaque bacteria to use sugar to attack the enamel of your teeth. Often sodas are acidic, which is bad for your teeth. Plus, like coffee, caffeinated drinks can dry out your mouth. Once again, if you do drink soda, be sure to drink plenty of water.
  • Alcohol. Alcohol causes dehydration and dry mouth. People who drink too much may notice that saliva reduces over time, which can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections. Heavy drinking can also increase your risk of mouth cancer.
  • Sports drinks. Often sugar is a top ingredient in many sports and energy drinks. In most cases sports drinks are unnecessary, and often water is once again your best option.

If you have any questions about the best (and worst) drinks for maintaining your oral health, members of our dental team are more than happy to help.

Source: MouthHealthy.org, “Top 9 foods that damage your teeth.”