5 of the Worst and Best Foods for Your Teeth

Sugar-filled candy and soft drinks are probably the first snacks that come to mind when you think about your favorite bites that are damaging to your teeth. But you might be surprised by some of the seemingly harmless foods and beverages that pose an equal threat to your pearly whites on a daily basis. 

The following five eats and sips may seem (and taste) good, but they are nothing but bad when it comes to your teeth. Don’t dismay, we have some great alternatives guaranteed to help you enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth.

Processed Carbs (Think Bread)

White, whole wheat, or whole grain — it doesn’t make a difference. Processed carbs like bread and crackers are at the top of the “Worst for Your Teeth” list. These sneaky snacks are really just sugars in disguise. Your saliva has an enzyme that starts the digestion process in your mouth, instantly converting carbs into sugars. The bad bacteria in your mouth then eats the sugar, converting it into acid that breaks down the enamel on your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to decay.

Snack on this instead...
Cheese and Milk

The calcium in dairy products has long been credited for strengthening teeth, but new studies have found that it also lowers the pH level in your mouth, helping to fight plaque and cavities, as well as to protect enamel. Consuming dairy also increases your production of saliva, which is great for keeping your teeth clean!

Dried Fruit

Fruit is good for you, but it is high in sugar. And while fresh fruit and dried fruit have the same amount of sugar in them, dried fruit is similar to sticky candy and adheres to the surface of your teeth, where it does a lot of damage.

Snack on this instead...
Fresh, Fiber-Rich Fruits and Veggies

Fiber-rich fruits and veggies are like cleansers for your mouth. Crisp fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, actually help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath. These tooth-decay-fighting foods are also saliva producers. Saliva, which washes away food and neutralizes acid, is your best natural defense against cavities.

Kombucha

Kombucha drinkers are loyal to their tea — we know this. But the truth is it poses the same risk to teeth as sugary soda does. Kombucha’s pH is low...very low. A pH less than 7 is considered acidic, and kombucha’s acidity level is almost as low as it can go, with a pH coming in at only 2.5. Kombucha drinking is sure to get you into trouble if done on a daily basis, and it poses a real threat to those at risk for cavities.

Drink this instead...
Green and Black Tea

These teas contain compounds that suppress and kill bad bacteria when they mix with the plaque on your teeth. This deters the bacteria from producing acid that attacks teeth and weakens enamel. Brew your tea with fluoridated water and it will be downright good for your teeth.

Lemons

With a pH of only 2, lemons are one of the most acidic foods you can put in your mouth. If you enjoy sucking on lemons or drinking lemon juice or lemony beverages, chances are your teeth are suffering from loss of enamel. When tooth enamel erodes, lemons won’t be the only yellow thing in your mouth — your teeth will be too!

Snack on this instead...
Sugarless Chewing Gum

Instead of sucking on lemons, chew on sugarless chewing gum. It increases the flow of saliva, effectively rinsing harmful acid off your teeth and preserving your enamel. It can also pull bits of remaining food from the surfaces of your teeth, and it’s great in a pinch after mealtime when you’ve forgotten your toothbrush or are out on the town for the evening.

Alcohol

Cocktails, beer, and wine: We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but drinks with alcohol have a drying effect, and a dry mouth is bad for teeth. Because saliva is critical to your teeth’s defense against plaque, anything that has a drying effect is bad. People who drink alcohol regularly are putting their teeth at risk. The risk is even higher for those who suffer from dry mouth.

Drink this instead...
Water with Fluoride

Drinking water with fluoride is a no-brainer when it comes to protecting your teeth. Water washes away the harmful acids, and fluoride makes your teeth strong. If you must have that end-of-week cocktail, protect your teeth by drinking a glass of fluoridated water after each beverage.

For more information on how to keep your teeth in top condition, call us today and set up your next appointment!