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Worst Foods for Your Teeth

Many foods and beverages that we consume can cause plague, which can lead to gingivitis, tooth disease and many other oral complications. Plaque is a film made up of bacteria that sticks to your teeth and attacks the enamel causing tooth decay. When this bacterium breaks down the enamel far enough, a cavity will form.

Here is a list created by your dentist in Carlsbad of some of the worst foods that can cause damage to your teeth.

  1. Sour Candy – We all know that candy is bad for your teeth, but sour candy contains different acids that are hard on your teeth. In addition, they are also chewy and therefore stick to your teeth for a longer period, which means that the acids have more time to cause damage to your enamel.
  2. Carbonated Drinks – A recent study as shown that drinking large quantities or carbonated sodas can be just as damaging to your teeth as using methamphetamine or crack cocaine. Soda allows plaque to produce more acid, which in turn, further attacks the tooth’s enamel. Sipping soda all day long means that you are essentially coating your teeth in harmful acid. These sugary drinks also dry out your mouth, which means that you have less saliva to help clean your teeth. Darker sodas are also a huge contributor to discolored or stained teeth.
  3. Alcohol – Drinking alcohol, as many have noticed, can also dry out your mouth and the lack of saliva can be damaging to your teeth. Saliva prevents food and sugars from sticking to your teeth and helps wash away food particles.
  4. Bread – When chewing on bread, the starch that is present gets broken down by your saliva into sugars. After being chewed, bread turns into a sticky, pasty substance that can easily get stuck in the cracks between your teeth, which can cause cavities. Remember that whole wheat breads contain less added sugar and are less harmful to your teeth.
  5. Citrus – Although citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons are delicious and nutritious, their high acid content can erode the enamel of your teeth, making them more vulnerable to decay.

 

Although it may be impossible to completely avoid these foods, there are a few things that you can do to help prevent any damage. When drinking carbonated drinks, using a straw may help the drink bypass your teeth. It is also important to rinse after eating high-starch meals and as always, remember to brush and floss daily to avoid complications in the future.

If you want to learn more or have any questions, simply call your dentist in Carlsbad at (760) 454-1422 and we’ll be happy to help!

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