5 of the worst types of food for your teeth

All food and drinks that can be consumed will have a negative effect on the wear of your teeth (except water!), however, there are certain types of food that are remarkably more damaging to your teeth. The main enemies of your teeth are plaque (bacteria) and sugar. When these two combine they produce acids that will coat your teeth and slowly erode the protective layer of enamel. Once that layer is eliminated, the chances of damage increase heavily. A damaged layer of enamel will make it more likely for you to experience sensitivity and pain. It will also increase the chances of developing cavities. That is not all though. The plaque that builds up on your teeth also has the capabilities of migrating to your gums and inflicting gum diseases such as gingivitis.

You can greatly reduce your chances of developing tooth cavities and gum disease by brushing twice a day and flossing after each time you brush. Additionally, it is beneficial to minimize the intake of the following foods:

1. Starches

Foods that contain a lot of starch, particularly bread can be very damaging to your teeth. When you eat bread, the saliva in your mouth makes contact with the starch in the bread. This turns the starch into sugar which will coat your teeth and fill all the gaps in around your teeth. The sugar will be turned into acid by the bacteria and the end result you are given is.. Cavities.

2. Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages were never beneficial to the overall health of your body. Your teeth are no exception. Alcohol can dry your mouth and reduce the amount of saliva you have. Saliva is an important factor that contributes to the health of your teeth. It helps to remove food that is stuck between and around your teeth and it can also repair any minor tooth decay and gum diseases. It is vital to keep your mouth hydrated. Water is your best friend.

3. Ice

This is a confusing one because Ice is just frozen water. Therefore it should be safe for your teeth. However, you may be interested to find that chewing on ice can be very harmful to the protective enamel layer on your teeth. Moreover, chewing on ice can cause chips and breaks in your teeth which are very painful.

4. Citrus

If you can recall what the 2 main enemies of your teeth are and what their byproduct is then you will surely be wary of consuming large amounts of citrus. Plaque and Sugar are the 2 enemies, and their byproduct is acid. Interestingly enough, citrus foods such as oranges and grapefruits are packed acid that can be very damaging to your enamel.

5. Dry Fruits

Fruits and even dry fruits are overall a healthy snacking choice. However, you must remember that dry fruits can often be sticky. Meaning, they will latch onto and around your teeth and coat them with a bountiful amount of sugar for the bacteria to consume. In addition, dry versions of fruits are more concentrated with sugar than their fresh counterparts so you will likely be better of eating fresh fruits rather than dry fruits.

For more information, ask your dentist or hygienist next time you are checking your teeth for more tips.