Foods Worse for Your Teeth Than Chocolates: A Surprising Truth
by Jeelin Inamac | Feb 5, 2024
Foods that damage your teeth
A lot of people believe chocolate and candy are the worst things for
our teeth, but surprisingly, they're not the worst offenders. While
it does contain sugar, it washes off your teeth faster and doesn't
linger on your teeth for extended periods unlike sticky candies and
starchy snacks. Chocolate gives less time for harmful bacteria to
cause cavities.
There are actually more popular foods and drinks that are more
harmful to our oral health, even though they don't get as bad of a
reputation. Keeping a healthy smile takes more than just brushing
and flossing.
By doing research, asking dental experts, as well as deriving from
our own experiences as dentists, we have compiled a list of foods
and drinks that surprisingly causes more damage than people tend to
realize.
-
Rice - especially white rice, easily breaks down
into sugar and the texture is also sticky which makes it stick to
the teeth easier. Since rice is a staple food and is usually eaten
almost every meal in some countries, it piles up longer and faster
for bacteria to cause damage to the teeth, earning the top of the
list.
-
Bread - like bread, it converts to sugar faster
plus the sugary sticky spreads and fillings we add makes it one of
the top culprits of tooth decay.
-
Pasta - aside from being starchy and likeliness
to stick and stay in between teeth, some teeth staining sauces
like tomato sauce are acidic and erode teeth enamel. Plus, some
sauces are high in sugar as well making pasta a triple whammy for
tooth decay.
-
Biscuit, chips, and crackers - These are starchy
foods as well that tends to stick to the tooth for a longer time
plus the extra sugary fillings can sometimes be sticky and linger
between the teeth. As for chips, aside from it being an unhealthy
starchy food that encourages bacterial growth, the rough or
abrasive texture of chips (and crackers) can grind on your teeth.
Additionally, since they're often a snack rather than a full meal,
we're less likely to follow up with a thorough teeth-brushing.
-
Soda - Aside from not having any nutritional
value, soda is full of sugar and very acidic. A combination of
harmful causes for enamel erosion and tooth decay. Diet sodas are
no better as they are higher in phosphoric acids than regular
sodas.
-
Coffee - Ah, our beloved coffee and it’s
addictive caffeine kick! Unfortunately, coffee stains teeth is one
of the leading causes of tooth discoloration. Plus, it's on the
acidic side, which can gradually wear down our enamel over time.
-
Tea - as refreshing teas can be, sadly, it’s
packed with teeth-staining tannins. While freshly brewed teas
aren't considered as highly acidic, beware of some bottled
varieties found to be as acidic as vinegar, which can spell
trouble for your tooth enamel.
-
Wine - Wine can stain your teeth and damage your
enamel because of its acids and tannins. Wine’s alcohol content
can cause dehydration which reduces saliva production and makes
teeth more susceptible to decay. To minimize the damage, drink
water after each sip of wine.
-
Tomato Sauce - Tomato-based sauces (like
ketchup), dips, and dressings combine acid, sugar, and staining
pigments - the three main culprits for dental damage. The tomato
sauce’s acidic component erodes enamel, while the sugar feeds
harmful bacteria that weakens teeth, while also staining teeth.
-
Dried fruits - Dried fruits are nature's candy,
but their sugary content, combined with their sticky texture,
creates a perfect storm for harmful bacteria to thrive. As they
get lodged in your teeth for a longer time, they provide a
continuous supply of sugars that can lead to tooth decay and
cavities. Go for fresh fruits instead.
-
Citrus fruits - Citrus fruits like lime, lemon,
pomelo, pineapple, oranges, etc, though packed with essential
nutrients, can be acidic, potentially eroding tooth enamel over
time. It's essential to enjoy them in moderation and rinse your
mouth with water afterward to neutralize the acidity.
Tips on how to still enjoy these tasty foods while keeping healthy
smiles.
We're not saying you need to stop enjoying those yummy treats! You
can still enjoy them, but be sure to practice good oral hygiene and
follow these tips to keep your smile healthy.
-
Drink more water - especially after meals! It
helps wash away foods that get stuck in your teeth.
-
Brush your teeth - after every meal and even
snacks! This minimizes the bacteria causing starch build-up in
your teeth.
-
Floss your teeth - make flossing a habit just
like brushing teeth. Flossing gets those hard to reach stuck
foods in your teeth that toothbrushes failed to remove.
-
Eat calcium-rich foods - including dairy, nuts,
seeds, and calcium supplements. The calcium and phosphates found
in dairy, nuts, and seeds help tooth enamel by replacing
minerals lost from other foods.
-
Use whitening Pronamel toothpaste or similar
toothpaste
- a toothpaste that is formulated with fluoride, calcium, and
neutral pH level is great in whitening and strengthening teeth
while minimizing the corrosive effects of acidity.
-
Visit your dentist at least once a year -
Dentists can do general cleaning and detect cavities before it
gets worse. Remember, prevention is always cheaper and better
than surgeries.
You can schedule an appointment with Dental Avenue or walk-in! We
are open 7 days a week.
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