We all know that dairy products are great for our teeth because of the high dose of calcium that helps to support healthy bones. You may even know that cheese can help to reduce acidity, balance the pH in your mouth, and protect your enamel.
What you might not know is which foods do just the opposite, attacking the enamel that protects your teeth and paving the way for tooth decay. Here are a few of the worst culprits when it comes to wreaking havoc on enamel.
1. Candy
As you may have guessed, one of the worst foods for your enamel is processed sugar. While all candy is hard on your teeth, you should definitely steer clear of anything containing sticky caramel or nougat that can cling to the surface of teeth long after you’re finished eating. You’ll also want to avoid hard candies that you suck on or chew, as these can not only harm enamel, but lead to cracked and chipped teeth, opening the door to infection and tooth decay.
2. Sugary beverages
Sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, and even juices feature tons of added sugar (or concentrated natural sugar) that can linger and erode enamel. Many also contain acids and food dyes that exacerbate the problem. Stick to water if you want the greatest oral and overall health benefits from your beverages.
3. Citrus
Oranges, strawberries, and other citrus fruits are truly delicious, and they’re certainly better for you than chowing on cookies or candy. That said, the combination of sugar and acid found in citrus fruits can do a whammy on your enamel, so just make sure to brush, floss, and thoroughly rinse after eating citrus fruits.
4. Alcohol
You might fear the effects of sugar in alcohol, but compared to, say, soda, it’s not actually that high. The bigger concern when you imbibe is that alcohol is a diuretic, which means it can dry out your mouth. When saliva doesn’t flow, your mouth’s natural rinsing mechanism is removed, and food and bacteria can linger as a result, to the detriment of your enamel.
5. Vinegar
Vinegar is not only great for household cleaning tasks, but it also offers a variety of health benefits. Unfortunately, it’s not so great for enamel. If it removes the calcium deposits on your coffee maker, you can imagine what it does to your teeth. It’s important to become aware of all the foods containing vinegar, including salad dressing, pickles, potato chips, and condiments, so you can protect your teeth. From there it’s just a matter of following a proper oral health regimen and seeing your Austin dentist regularly.
