Not all foods are created equal – especially when it comes to keeping your teeth healthy and your smile bright. For this week’s Ask A Dentist question, we’re discussing some of the worst foods for your teeth (and how to protect your smile against them):

1. Sugary Drinks

Sweet drinks like sodas, sports drinks and fruit juices are common thirst quenchers, especially as the weather begins to warm up for the summer. But these beverages are full of sugar, which makes them a feast for the tooth decay-causing bacteria in your mouth. As these bacteria consume the sugar spread throughout your mouth by your drink, they create acid that erodes your teeth, eventually causing cavities and tooth decay.  

2. Acidic Drinks

In addition to often being high in sugar, drinks like coffee, wine or lemonade are also highly acidic. These acids, like those produced by harmful mouth bacteria, begin to wear away at your teeth over time, starting with your enamel – the extremely hard, protective coating that serves as a first line of your defense for your teeth. Many of these acidic drinks (particularly coffee and wine) can also stain your teeth with repeated exposure over time.

3. Sticky foods

Sticky, chewy foods like toffees, gummy candies or dried fruits cling to tooth surfaces after chewing. Since these snacks are also often high in sugar (you might be noticing a pattern, here), the prolonged contact with your teeth gives bacteria more of a chance to feed, in turn causing more harmful acids. Repeated exposure to extremely sticky foods can also damage or loosen dental work like fillings.  

4. Starches

Starchy foods, like breads, potato chips and French fries, contain the worst of both worlds: They’re full of the simple, easy-to-break-down sugars that bacteria love most and they also stick to tooth surfaces after chewing. In some cases, it’s possible for some residue to remain even through brushing.  

5. Alcohol

Beverages containing alcohol – beer, wine, cocktails, etc. – will dry your mouth out by reducing saliva production. Without enough saliva, your mouth is at further risk from these harmful bacteria, as saliva plays a key role in neutralizing mouth acid and washing away leftover food residue. Considering the sugar content in many mixed cocktails, a night at the club can quickly become a recipe for disaster for your teeth.

Limiting your mouth’s exposure to these foods is important to help fight their damaging effects. Moderation is definitely key to enjoying these treats. If you do indulge from time to time, make sure you rinse between bites and after snacking, drink lots of water to wash away food particles, brush twice a day and visit your dentist regularly. We make booking your next appointment easy – just use the orange “Book Online” button!

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