Quit Corroding Your Chompers
We all want to keep our pearly whites intact—even if that does require flossing—but certain foods only serve to dampen your smile. A slice of bread here or a can of soda there probably doesn't sound like a big deal, but those everyday treats wear down your teeth a lot faster than you think. To ensure your teeth maintain their strength and health, let’s look at the worst (and best) foods for them.
1. White Bread
It seems like every healthcare professional warns us away from white bread. Whether you heed their warnings or not is up to you, but you may want to listen to your dentist on this one. White bread is loaded with sugar and as you chew, you break the bread down into a kind of paste that can easily stick to your gums and cause cavities.
2. Soda
Speaking of items loaded with sugar, carbonated soda does a doozy on your teeth, too. Not only is it packed with sugar, but it’s acidic as well, and together that team wears on your enamel. It also makes you more susceptible to cavities and plaque.
3. Potato Chips
Even if our teeth were at risk of falling out, it’s hard to say we’d ever give up chips! While you don’t have to quit them cold turkey, you should be aware of how detrimental they are to teeth. Starchy foods wage war on your gums by feeding on bacteria in the mouth, which causes decay and plaque.
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4. Candies
Hard candy isn’t the only issue—sticky candy is also a culprit in poor teeth health as both linger on your pearly whites. They’re packed with sugar, which leads to cavities, but hard candies stick around for extended periods of time (not to mention chewing one can easily hurt a tooth). Sticky candy, on the other hand, can get stuck between your teeth.
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5. Citrus Fruits
Certain fruit actually aids in the promotion of teeth health, but citrus fruits don’t have that benefit. Fruits like oranges, lemon, or grapefruit pack a sugary punch and can seriously impact tooth enamel. They’re also not the best choice for those with sensitive teeth.
6. Ice
Okay, okay, we know this isn't technically a "food," but that doesn't stop people from eating it! Chewing ice is probably one of the worst things you can do to your teeth. It isn’t just that the texture can damage teeth, either—it’s that the temperature wears heavily on enamel and weakens it over time.
7. Red Wine
Alcohol in general isn’t the best for your teeth, but red wine in particular is a no-no. Red wine can leave a slight stain on your teeth, but it’s also fairly acidic, which does a number on your enamel. Regular consumption can wear down your chompers to the point of serious sensitivity.
8. Crackers
Crackers suffer from the same fate as potato chips: they’re very starchy. They can get lodged in your teeth and wear down the enamel, opening the door to cavities and tooth sensitivity. Not only that, but these little guys love to hang around long after we've closed the box.
9. Energy Drinks
It’s no secret that sports drinks are high in sugar and acidity, but you may not be aware of how tough those are on your teeth. Sugar coupled with acidity can harm enamel, and with frequent consumption, it leaves you susceptible to tooth decay.
10. Pickles
Nothing brings a burger together like a pickle. However, you may want to rethink those acidic additions. In addition to their acidity, pickles can also come with all kinds of sugar, and that pairing attacks tooth enamel. It also leaves you vulnerable to cavities and leads to plaque build-up.
We know it looks like every delicious plate is now off the menu, but we have good news: plenty of foods out there not only taste great but can also keep your mouth nice and healthy. It's time we sank our teeth into those!
1. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like spinach and kale do wonders for your teeth. Packed with calcium, minerals, and vitamins, leafy veggies maintain strong bones—including your pearly whites. Not to mention, chewing on these regularly can help keep teeth clean naturally!
2. Certain Dairy Products
Make room for cheese, yogurt, and milk because the high calcium and phosphorus content keeps those chompers sparkling. They promote strong teeth, reduce the risk of cavities, and milk especially forms a protective layer over the teeth that keeps decay away.
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3. Fatty Fish
Seafood lovers are in luck; fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna are rich in vitamins and calcium that protect teeth. Fish is specifically full of vitamin D, which fights off tooth decay and helps get the calcium from your food. No more catch-and-release for you!
4. Apples
Have you ever noticed that your mouth produces more saliva when you bite into apples? That’s because they have lots of water, and coupled with their beloved fibrous crunch, apples help you produce more saliva to help clear out food bits and bacteria from your teeth.
5. Almonds
Almonds are a little trickier because, on the one hand, they have enough calcium to promote healthy teeth and aid in plaque removal. However, because they’re so hard, it’s recommended that you reach for almond slices if you’ve had dental work done (or have sensitive teeth). You should also avoid the candied stuff.
6. Crunchy Vegetables
That’s right, folks—more vegetables! Sorry, but the extra crunchy guys like celery or carrots work wonders on your teeth. They produce more saliva—which fights bacteria—and help remove plaque thanks to their texture.
7. Water
We’ve all dislodged food with a bit of water, but that’s not its only benefit. Water promotes oral health by washing out bacteria; its zero-calorie, sugar-free nature protects our teeth rather than hurts them. It looks like you have one more reason to sneak another glass into your diet!
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8. Lean Meats
Lean meats like chicken and turkey are not only loaded with protein, which is great for gums, but they also have lots of phosphorus. Phosphorus is pretty important because it maintains the strength of our teeth and can even help repair enamel over time.
9. Strawberries
Strawberries have something called malic acid, which acts as a natural whitener. While they obviously don’t replace regular dental care, they do work to lift surface stains from the teeth. They’re also rich in vitamin C, a crucial vitamin for gum health and collagen production.
10. Green Tea
Green tea is often a go-to remedy for various maladies—and you can add oral health to the list! It’s filled with antioxidants that ward off bacteria, and regular consumption can reduce the risk of cavities and damaged gums.
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