There is nothing like chowing down on your favorite foods, but sometimes what you eat can do more harm than good. With 92% of people experiencing tooth decay, paying attention to your diet is important for the health of your mouth. Depending on what you eat, plaque can build up and cause damage to your teeth and gums. The sugars from your food cause bacteria to attack and form an acid that wears the enamel down on your teeth. There are several foods that are bad for your teeth that you will want to stay away from to keep your smile healthy. We go over the top seven worst foods for your teeth in our handy list.
1. Sour Candy
Everyone knows that sweets are bad food for your teeth, but sour candy takes the cake as being the worst. This type of candy has an acid that breaks your enamel down faster. It is also usually chewy and will stick to your teeth.
2. Bread
The starch in bread breaks down when you chew it and turns into sugar. The soft texture sticks to your teeth and gets into all the hard-to-reach places causing cavities.
3. Dried Fruit
Foods that damage teeth aren’t always unhealthy! Dried fruit is sticky and sweet, which is a perfect storm for tooth decay. If you want nice teeth, make sure to floss your teeth after indulging in this tasty snack.
4. Soda
Even diet soda should be an off-limits drink when it comes to keeping a healthy mouth. Carbonated soda encourages the production of acidic plaque that breaks down tooth enamel. Soda also keeps your mouth dry and can turn your teeth a darker color.
5. Ice
Although not technically a food, ice can cause lots of dental issues. Chewing ice weakens the enamel on your teeth. This can cause a tooth to break or chip more easily. Keep ice in your glass and out of your mouth.
6. Citrus
Grapefruits and oranges are tasty snacks but are full of acid. The acid in citrus damages enamel and keeps teeth open to decay. Even a fresh squeeze of lemon in your water can harm the enamel on your teeth. If you have a mouth sore, citrus can aggravate it. Make sure to eat citrus sparingly and drink lots of water with them.
7. Potato Chips
Many people turn to this tasty snack as comfort food, but it can damage your teeth. The starch in potato chips turns into sugar in your mouth. This sugar gets stuck in the spaces in and around your teeth and turns into plaque.
Try to Avoid Foods That Are Bad for Your Teeth
It can be hard to ignore a food craving, no matter how much damage it can cause to your teeth. Do your best to avoid foods that are bad for your teeth, and make sure to brush and floss if you do indulge. If you are looking for a dental clinic in Mississauga, you've come to the right place! Rockwood Dental Group can help you with all of your dental needs. Contact our professional team today to schedule your first appointment.
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