Top Foods that Damage Your Teeth

Many food and beverages cause plaque, that can seriously damage on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. After eating a sugary snack, the sugars causes the bacteria to release acids that attach the enamel of the tooth. Once the enamel gets damaged, cavities develop. Cavities are a common chronic disease, causing complications like pain, chewing issues and tooth abscesses.rnIf you do not brush or floss regularly, plaque will harden and turn to tartar. Tartar formation above the gums leads to the development of gingivitis, which is a kind of gum disease. There are plenty of ways to stop plaque from damaging your mouth. Aside from brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist, you can limit or completely avoid the food items listed below. • Alcohol. Drinking alcohol dries out the mouth. A dry mouth lacks saliva which is needed to keep teeth healthy. Saliva washes away food particles and stops food from sticking to the teeth. It also helps repair the early signs of gum disease, tooth decay and other oral infections. Keep the mouth hydrated by drinking lots of water and using fluoride rinses. • Bread. When you eat bread, saliva breaks down its starches into sugar, transforming it into a paste-like substance. It can easily stick to the crevices of the teeth and cause cavities. If you want to eat bread, opt for whole wheat and other less-refined varieties that have less sugars and are not easily broken down. • Carbonated drinks. Carbonated drinks allow plaque to produce more acid that in turn attacks the tooth enamel. Soda also dries out the mouth so you have less saliva. Dark-colored saliva stain and discolor the teeth. Brushing the teeth after consuming carbonated drinks is discouraged as this can hasten tooth decay. • Sour candies. Candy is bad for your teeth, but sour candy especially are because they contain more acids that are tougher on the teeth. Also, their chewy texture makes them stick longer to the teeth, making them more likely to cause decay. To satisfy your sweet cravings, reach for a square of chocolate instead, which is easier to chew and wash away. • Ice. Even when it is essentially water, chewing on a hard substance like ice can damage the enamel and put you at a risk for dental emergencies like broken, cracked and chipped teeth, as well as loosened crowns. You can use ice on your cold beverages but never chew on them. • Citrus. Lemons, oranges and grapefruit contain a high amount of acid that can erode the enamel so teeth are more prone to decay. Even squeezing lime or lemon into water already acids acid to your drink. Plus, they are bothersome to those with mouth sores. Eat or drink them in moderation during mealtime and make sure to rinse with water after. • Potato chips. Potato chips are loaded with starch that becomes sugar which eventually gets trapped in between teeth and lead to plaque formation. The acid that comes from the chips can last for a while. If you cannot help but eat a bag, floss to get rid of any trapped particles. • Dried fruits.It is easy to assume that dried fruits are healthy since they are made from fruit. However, they are sticky and can cling and get stuck in the teeth. After eating dried fruit, thoroughly rinse your mouth, and brush and floss after. If you can, stick to fresh fruits because they are less concentrated with sugar.rnWhile it is recommended that you avoid the above-mentioned food items, you can also try to limit their intake if you cannot bid farewell to them just yet. After eating them, rinse your mouth with water and brush and floss if you can. Finally, do not forget your regular visits to your dentist for routine cleaning and checkup.