Did you know that sharks constantly grow new teeth? How lucky they are, to never have to worry about brushing, flossing, or the harmful effects of eating candy! Granted, sharks are fish, and therefore incapable of worrying or eating candy, but we’re envious of them all the same.
Sadly, you are not a shark. That means you will have to take care of your smile if you want to preserve it, which goes hand in hand with avoiding foods that are bad for your teeth. Let’s review those foods right now! (We’re going to skip candy, because we’re guessing you’ve received the “candy is bad for your teeth” memo several times already.)
1. Soda
Let’s begin with one of the leading causes of tooth decay in America: soda, or “pop” as Midwesterners prefer calling it. Soda is laden with sugar, a substance which S. mutans and several other bacteria that naturally occur in the mouth convert into lactic acid. Lactic acid gradually eats away at the enamel which protects teeth until they become vulnerable to cavities!
Think sugar-free diet sodas are a safe alternative to sugary ones? They are not! Diet Coke has a pH of 3.1, and tooth enamel begins dissolving at pH levels as low as 4.0. Truly, preserving your teeth begins by avoiding any carbonated soft drink which isn’t club soda.
2. Coffee
Let’s continue our review of bad food for teeth with something else that isn’t food: coffee. The pH of coffee is approximately 5.0 – not as acidic as soda, but still deleterious to tooth enamel in large enough quantities.
Its acidity isn’t the only reason why coffee is bad for teeth. Coffee also contains tannins – substances which bind to teeth and stain them, and which also attract and retain sugar. Tannins aren’t all bad, however, as some of them are antioxidants which can improve cardiovascular health!
3. Pickled Foods
Pickles and other pickled foods are saturated with vinegar. The pH of vinegar is usually 2 or 3. Pickles have a pH of approximately 3.4: not as acidic as vinegar, but still low enough to eat away at your teeth’s protective enamel.
Take care that pickles aren’t the only foods which contain high amounts of vinegar. Mustard is another vinegary food, and it has a ~4.0 pH to show for it.
4. Refined Carbohydrates
Refined carbs are any grains that have been milled or otherwise processed in a fashion which removed at least one part of their kernel. You may already have heard of “whole grains” and their health benefits. Refined carbs are “partial grains,” and contain fewer micronutrients and less fiber because of it.
White bread. White rice. Crackers. Breakfast cereal. Potato chips. These are all examples of the refined carbs Americans eat on a daily basis. The aforementioned bacteria that naturally live in your mouth break down starches in refined carbs until they turn into simple sugars, which are in turn converted to lactic acid – the same enamel-decaying substance that is produced whenever you eat candy.
5. Fruits
Fruits are practically synonymous with good health. To be certain, eating fruit instead of candy or refined carbs is almost always advisable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean all fruits are good for your teeth. That’s because many fruits are surprisingly acidic. Pure orange juice has a pH of 3.9, and other citrus fruits are just as acidic (if not more so).
Citrus fruits aren’t the only acidic plant treats. Grapes have a pH of 4.0. Pineapple has a pH of ~3.7. Even apples can have a pH as low as 3.5.
Finally, take care while eating dried fruits such as raisins, prunes, cherries and apricots. Although they can constitute a healthy part of anyone’s diet when eaten in moderation, raisins are 60% sugar.
6. Alcohol
Most of the people in Utah are told to avoid alcohol for reasons you are probably already well aware of. So much the better, because the substance does not do any favors to teeth.
Alcohol damages teeth for many reasons. It suppresses saliva production, which can in turn cause dry mouth that eventually leads to tooth decay. Alcoholic beverages are frequently acidic, as well as high in tannins. Alcoholic beverages can also be very sugary. Cocktails are often quite sweet, and even dry white wine has about two grams of sugar per serving.
Avoiding foods that are harmful to your teeth is a great way to promote better oral health, but it’s not enough on its own. Only regular teeth cleanings and checkups can give you your best chance of smiling bright well into old age. If you live in the greater Logan, Utah area and would like expert preventative dentistry that will keep your teeth protected, then we welcome you to contact All About Teeth today!
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