Worst foods for your teeth

When we consider the foods we eat and the reasons why we choose one food over another, it usually comes down to taste preference or health benefits. But the effect our food choices have on our teeth should also be made a priority. While foods like lollies and soft drink stick out to us all as being damaging to teeth, there are many ‘healthy’ foods that we need to be mindful of when consuming frequently. These foods can certainly still be enjoyed and by no means need to be cut out of anyone’s diet. The most important thing is to remember to floss or rinse your mouth after eating them. 

Be mindful of your teeth and gums when eating these 10 foods.

10. Popcorn

We love popcorn just as much as the next person, but it’s important to be careful when eating. You would know from experience that little bits of popcorn can get caught between your teeth very easily. This can be dangerous as bacteria can build up between your teeth while the popcorn sits there. Also, the popcorn kernels that haven’t quite popped are very hard and can cause cracked and broken teeth when chewed on.

9. White bread

Who would have thought such a simple food could be bad for our teeth! Starchy foods, like bread, become very stick when eaten and can end up lodged in between our teeth. The starches that make these foods so sticky begin breaking down into sugars before they are digested. This means the longer the bread sits in your teeth, the more likely it is to turn to sugar and rot your teeth.

8. Energy drinks

This should be a pretty obvious one. Not only are most energy drinks high in sugar and caffeine, they are highly acidic and are generally worse than most soft drinks. Steer clear of energy drinks altogether and if you have to have one, be sure to rinse your mouth afterwards.

7. Dried fruits

Dried fruits can be full of great nutrients and energy to keep us going throughout the day. They can be a great snack to fuel our bodies on the run. The problem with dried fruit is that it is very high in sugar and can be very sticky, ending up being stuck between teeth. A solution? Try reaching for a piece of fresh fruit instead and remember to rinse your mouth after eating.

6. Crackers

The refined carbohydrates in crackers mean they break down to sugar very quickly and can sit in your teeth, similar to bread. When chewed, they do tend to become quite sticky and can sit in your teeth causing the sugar to set in and create decay.  

5. Citrus fruits

Fruits like oranges, lemons, grapefruit and limes. These fruits can be so good for us as they are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. While the health benefits are great, the acidity of these fruits is very high and this can erode the enamel and cause decay. Sip on some water as you eat your orange next time.

4. Sour lollies

We know sugar causes our teeth to decay but sour lollies are among the worst kind! They are so high in sugar AND are highly acidic. Make sour lollies a VERY rare treat if you have to have them at all.

3. Fruit Juice

While not as bad as soft drinks, energy drinks and some alcohols, fruit juice deserves a special mention. Many people don’t think about fruit juice being damaging as it is a healthy alternative to these other drinks however they are still filled with (natural) sugars and can be highly acidic. The best drink will always be water but just be mindful when drinking fruit juice. 

2. Red Wine

A glass of red wine every now and then may have its health benefits, the dark coloured substance can have a lasting effect on your teeth. Anyone who has drank red wine before would know how easily it can stain teeth. The acidity levels within wine are quite high and this is part of the reason it stains so easily. If you enjoy your red wine, just be sure to have water in between sips to try and avoid it sitting in your teeth for too long. 

1. Potato Chips

Although they are delicious, we all know they are not the healthiest snack. But did you know they were bad for your teeth as well? The crunchy snack is loaded with starch which quickly turns into sugar that can get trapped in between the teeth and feed the bacteria in the plaque. Be sure to rinse your mouth and floss after eating potato chips to remove any particles trapped between your teeth.

We don’t suggest cutting these foods and drinks out of your life completely, but instead just saving them for special occasions. When you can, rinse your mouth after eating and floss if you can feel there is food between your teeth. To find out which foods are great for your teeth, read this article here. For any enquiries, don’t hesitate to give us a call or leave your information here and we will be in touch with you.