Have you ever heard of the expression, ‘An apple a day, keeps the dentist away’?

We all know that some foods are worse for your teeth than others.

Sugary foods, sweets and fizzy drinks are some of the not so great foods, while vegetables and fruit are better for you and your teeth. 

A lot of the ‘not so great’ foods are quite obvious, but we’ve made a list of others that may surprise you, so keep reading below!

 

1. Sugary Sweets

As mentioned above, sugary foods are one of the obvious foods that do more harm than they do good. But specifically, sour candies are terrible for your teeth because of the acids they contain, as they can damage your enamel. 

*Our recommendation: if you have a sweet tooth, limit the sugary/ sour sweets!

 

2. Bread

Bread is surprising and not one that you’d expect to be on this list ! Bread contains starch from white flour which is a simple carbohydrate and when it lingers on your teeth, it breaks down into simple sugars. Bacteria in your mouth then feeds on these sugars turning them into acid which causes tooth decay. 

*Our recommendation: drink plenty of water and rinse your mouth with water after eating!

 

3. Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are a popular choice for those who want something sweet but want to stay away from fizzy drinks. However, because they are made to give you a boost of energy, they’re packed with high amounts of sugar as well as a high acid content which can make you more prone to cavities and decay.

*Our recommendation: water is always the best choice when it comes to beverages, but if you can, try to drink sports drinks in moderation. 

 

4. Citrus

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and limes contain Vitamin C and these high amounts of acid can soften and weaken the enamel of the teeth when consumed frequently. Consuming these acids in high amounts can also trigger canker sores and cause discomfort. 

*Our recommendation: If drinking water with lemon or lime, always sip through a straw to prevent contact with your tooth enamel. 

 

5. Ice

Although ice is just water after all, it’s not something that you should be chewing on. Crunching down on hard pieces of cold ice can create tiny cracks in the teeth that damage your enamel. It can also damage any existing work that has been done in your mouth, such as crowns and fillings. 

*Our recommendation: If you still can’t part with ice cubes, then we suggest melting them in your mouth as much as possible before chewing on them!

 

6. Alcohol

Alcohol does not only dry out your mouth, but also contains acids that can damage your teeth. Darker coloured drinks can also stain your teeth affecting the appearance of your smile which means saying goodbye to those pearly whites. 

*Our recommendation: sip alcoholic beverages with a straw and rinse your mouth out with water in between drinks!

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We don’t expect everyone to avoid all of these foods completely! What’s important is to eat certain foods in moderation, drink plenty of water, floss and brush twice a day! To make the most out of your at-home brushing and flossing routine, book a Tooth Cleaning Instruction with us. You can also check out our blog post about 10 tips for a healthier smile!

Read all of our other blog posts here.