Looks like there is another reason to watch what you eat…turns out some types of food invite tooth decay. Eating sugary, starchy or hard and crunchy foods in excess can lead to a real problem for the health of your teeth. These types of food can cause bacteria to grow in your mouth, and this bacteria can turn into plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that covers the surfaces of your teeth. Sugary or starchy foods then come into contact with the plaque and acids form that can break down the enamel of your teeth. Eventually, this leads to tooth decay which can affect the health of your gums as well. Hard or crunchy foods may crack or otherwise hurt your teeth, while also cutting into your gums. Keep reading below for a list of 10 foods that are bad for your teeth.
Ice Cubes
Chewing on ice cubes can crack your teeth, so you better leave the ice cubes to chill your beverages. Even though it is frozen water, and there is no sugar in ice cubes, it is best to avoid chomping down on them. Also, the cool temps of ice cubes may cause teeth sensitivity.
Soft Drinks of Any Kind
Soda and sports drinks are especially bad for sipping on because of the high levels of sugar. And add diet sodas to the list of no no’s, because even though they lack sugar, they still have acidity to them that can damage teeth.
Alcoholic Drinks
Beverages with alcohol can slow down the production of saliva in your mouth. It is saliva that provides a layer of protection across your teeth against acid. It also helps wash away food particles inside your mouth. It should be noted that alcohol also irritates the soft tissue in your mouth.
Tea and Coffee
Never mind the fact that tea and coffee can stain your teeth yellow or brown, but if you add sweetener to your drink it can also make your teeth sticky. This makes your teeth vulnerable to plaque, which can lead to tooth decay.
Hard Candies
Either way you snack on hard candies is not beneficial to your teeth. If you crunch down on them right away you can crack or damage your teeth. You may also unintentionally cut the inside of your mouth with the hard edges of the candies. If you let the candies dissolve in your mouth that could take a few minutes, which will allow sugar to coat your teeth. Sugar makes your teeth vulnerable to tooth decay.
Potato Chips
Potato chips are a starchy food that can get trapped in between teeth, which can help the growth of bacteria, a cause of plaque. Other starchy foods that can get trapped between your teeth include white bread, or corn chips.
Popcorn
Popcorn is another starchy food that gets stuck in between your teeth, but this snack also has kernels that can get stuck in your teeth, and can crack teeth or lead to cut gums. Also, the buttery bits of food that gets stuck between teeth can promote bacteria growth.
Dehydrated Fruits’
Dehydrated fruit may be slightly more nutritious than processed fruit snacks, they are still sticky foods that are high in sugar. If you do end up indulging in dehydrated fruit, please brush after and rinse your mouth with water to help dislodge any sticky food particles.
Citrus Fruits’
It may come as a surprise to see citrus fruits on the list, as they don’t contain sugar. However, citrus fruits are very acidic, which of course, damages the surface of your teeth. But, since these foods have nutritional value, you don’t have to forgo citrus fruits. Just be sure to rinse your mouth with water after eating to reduce the acid.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Every part of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich can promote bacteria growth on your teeth. Peanut butter is often made with sugar, unless you opt for the natural kind that does not add it. Jelly is obviously loaded with sugar, and sandwich bread is starchy and can stick in between your teeth. If you want to still eat pb&j, consider the natural peanut butter, all fruit jam instead of jelly, and whole wheat bread.