8 Dangerous Foods and Drinks That Can Damage Your Teeth

Do you know that the type of food you eat has a great impact on your oral health? While some foods can strengthen your teeth and prevent the development of certain oral issues, others can significantly ruin your teeth. That's why it's important to choose what you eat and drink carefully. Here is a list of eight dangerous foods and drinks that can damage your teeth.

Sugar is one of the most common causes of tooth decay. Bacteria that inhabit your mouth prefer to multiply in a sweet environment. Bacteria produce acids that soften your tooth enamel and cause cavities. Limit your consumption of sweets and try to drink water after eating candy to remove sugar from your mouth.

Sweet soda is double trouble for your teeth since it contains both sugar and acid. This dangerous combination wears out your tooth enamel and increases the amount of bacteria on your teeth. That's why it is better to replace sweat soda with water or at least sparkling water without sweeteners.

Even though citrus fruits are full of vitamins and are beneficial for your health, you should know that they can damage your teeth. Citrus fruits contain acids and their excessive intake can erode your tooth enamel. Additionally, you shouldn't brush your teeth after you consume acids since you can remove the softened tooth enamel.

Alcohol (especially red wine) can have a harmful effect on your teeth. When you drink alcohol, your mucous membranes become dry and this leads to the bacteria overgrowth. Red wine can stain your teeth and wear out your tooth enamel because of tannins and acids. Don't forget to rinse your mouth with water while drinking alcohol.

It may seem ridiculous but regular tomato sauce that you add to pasta can also affect your teeth. The reality is that tomato sauce contains a lot of sugar and acids. As mentioned above, this combination is extremely harmful to your teeth. You can try to replace tomato sauce with cheese or other sauces that have low acidity and sugar content.

Even though sports drinks are deemed to be healthy, the reality is that they are full of sugar and acids. Additionally, researchers have found that sports drinks may even cause more damage than energy drinks since they are used on a more regular basis. Choose the sports drinks that are low in sugar and acids or replace them with water.

You may think that dried fruits are a great replacement for candy and cookies but they can also damage your teeth. Indeed, dried fruits contain less sugar than candy but they are extremely sticky. This means that they can remain in your mouth for a long time and feed the bacteria. That's why it is better to eat more nuts and fresh fruit instead.

Increased coffee consumption is a quite common reason why people visit a dentistry clinic for teeth whitening procedures. Coffee contains tannins that dye and stain the tooth enamel. Additionally, coffee has a high acidity that can also affect the condition of your teeth. Be sure to drink plain water after every cup of coffee to reduce its negative effect.

In addition to proper oral hygiene and regular dental exams, it is essential to monitor what you consume. Even though some foods and drinks can have certain health benefits, they may be quite dangerous for your teeth. Try to avoid the aforementioned foods and drinks if you want to keep your teeth strong and healthy.