Maintaining your dental health requires care and attention, and certain foods are notably inclined to increase the risk of tooth damage.
Many foods and drinks can cause plaque buildup and have serious effects on your teeth such as gum disease and tooth decay, explains Healthline. Foods with sugar can also cause bacteria to release acids that attack tooth enamel which can develop cavities.
Below is a list of foods, including beverages, by Healthline, that you should try to avoid to protect your teeth.
Potato chips
Chips contain a lot of starch which turns into sugar. This then gets trapped in and between the teeth, feeding the bacteria in the plaque. Remember to floss after eating the snack to remove trapped particles.
Bread
Just like potato chips, when bread is chewed, the saliva breaks down the starches into sugar. The bread then becomes a gummy, paste-like substance which sticks to the crevices between teeth, causing cavities. Opt for less-refined varieties of bread like whole wheat which contain less added sugar and do not break down easily.
Ice
You may think ice is okay to chew because it is strictly water. This is unfortunately not the case. Chewing ice – a hard substance – can damage enamel, making you susceptible to dental emergencies (chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, or loose crowns).
Dried fruits
Although dried fruits are considered a healthy snack, they are quite sticky and can easily cling to your teeth and in their crevices, leaving sugar behind, says the American Dental Association. However, experts need to complete more research on the topic. If you enjoy eating dried fruits, it is important to rinse your mouth with water, and then brush and floss afterwards.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can dry out your mouth, decreasing the amount of saliva which is needed to keep teeth healthy. Saliva also prevents food from sticking to your teeth, washes away food particles, assists in repairing signs of tooth decay, and other oral infections. Keep your mouth hydrated and protect your teeth by drinking plenty of water.
