The Worst Foods and Drinks For Teeth

 

Your friendly Spanish Fork dental office cares a great deal about your teeth, which is why we try to educate our patients so they know how to best take care of their teeth for a healthy smile. Part of taking care of your teeth is being careful about what you eat and drink. We’re not saying you need to avoid these things altogether, just that you might want to moderate the intake of some of the following foods and drinks.

Ice

You probably don’t think to just eat ice, but many people enjoy chewing on the ice from their iced beverages. Chewing on ice can leave your teeth vulnerable to erosion of your enamel. If it’s a habit, try to stick to just sipping on the water or beverage to avoid an emergency visit to your Spanish Fork dental office due to damaged enamel.

Citrus

Citrus fruits are acidic and frequent exposure to them can erode enamel and make your teeth more susceptible to decay over time. Citrus fruits can also irritate mouth sores so avoid at all costs if you have any open sores in your mouth. Moderation for the most part is fine, just be careful.

Coffee

It’s hard to pass on a cup of coffee in the morning but drinking coffee every single day can stain your teeth. The caffeine in things like coffee and tea can also dry out your mouth. If you do choose to consume, make sure to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. If you add sugar to your coffee, try to keep it minimal.

Sticky Foods

Dried fruit is a healthy snack for the most part but unfortunately the stickiness of it can wreak havoc on your teeth. Sticky foods are bad for your teeth because they stay on your teeth longer than other food and can result in cavities. If you eat sticky foods, make sure to rinse your mouth with water afterwards and to brush and floss often.

 

Soda

Sipping on soda is one of the worst things you can do for your teeth. When you drink lots of soda or other sugary drinks, plaque bacteria uses that sugar to produce acids that destroy your enamel. Most carbonated drinks are acidic, even the diet ones, so it’s best to just opt for water instead. If you do consume, balance it out with some water afterwards.

 

We hope to have provided some insight as to what foods and drinks should be avoided for a healthy smile. If you need an appointment or have questions, give you Spanish Fork dental office a call.