Did you know that you could be giving yourself tooth decay by what you are drinking each day? Some patients know that certain foods can increase your risk for tooth decay, but they may not realize that drinks can do the same thing. Anything with sugar in it has the potential to cause your teeth decay. This decay is known as “cavities”. Certain foods have acids that also erode your tooth enamel, while other foods and drinks can help your teeth be stronger. Find out what foods are good for your teeth and what foods and drinks aren’t!

Your Oral Health

Many people know that you get cavities by not brushing or flossing your teeth enough. You may brush and floss everyday, but still end up with tooth decay. What gives? Your diet may be to blame. Everything you eat and drink comes in contact with your teeth. When you eat, sugars in foods and drink mix with the bacteria in your mouth to create plaque. That sticky (and clear) substance coats your teeth after every meal. Plaque will slowly work to erode away your hard tooth enamel, causing tooth decay along the way. If you have great oral health habits, consider changing your diet if you still have cavities.

Foods that Hurt Your Teeth

What you eat will determine how healthy your teeth are as well as your body. Your mouth is where all your food consumption starts, so it’s smart to take note of what you’re putting in it. Watch out for foods high in sugar, as sugar increases your risk for tooth decay and will lead to your mouth making more plaque. When it comes to your teeth, avoid chewing or eating the following:

• Chewy Foods – Watch out for chewy foods such as caramels, gummies, taffy, and similar treats. These foods stick to your teeth and make them harder to clean. You want to especially avoid these types of food if you have braces, as they are almost impossible to clean out of the brackets in one sitting.
• Hard Foods – Some foods can chip or crack a tooth if you’re not careful. Nuts, popcorn hulls, hard candies and more can break your teeth. Even veggies and fruits such as apples and carrots can damage your teeth. Suck on some hard foods (like candies) and cut others (such as veggies) into bite-size pieces.
• Sugary Foods – If you haven’t guessed by now, the more sugar you eat, the higher your risk for tooth decay. Sugar is the main food source of plaque and mouth bacteria. Limit your sugar intake and see how your oral and overall health and wellness improves.
• Ice – Ice is just hardened water, but chips and cracks patient’s teeth all the time. Suck on ice or enjoy it in a drink. Never chew it.
• Fruits – Your diet should have some fruits and veggies in it every day to get all the nutrients you need. However, too many citrus fruits can cause dental issues. Citrus fruits have loads of citric acid. Remember that acids erode your tooth enamel. When you eat these fruits, wait about 30 minutes and then brush your teeth. The same goes for fruity juices, smoothies and other drinks.

Drinks that Erode Your Teeth

You may think you are in the clear if you avoid sugary treats. However, what you drink can also take a major toll on your oral health. Sometimes, your choice of beverage can make an even greater impact on your risk for tooth decay, even more than food. Water is a great beverage of choice for everyone. It has no calories and water sources in the United States have fluoride. Fluoride helps protect your teeth against tooth decay. However, many people sip on drinks that contain harmful acids that attack their tooth enamel and lead to decay and erosion. Always look at the label on your drinks and make sure they aren’t full of sugar. Choose sugar-free or diet options when you can.

Drinks to watch out for are:

• Sports Drinks – Gatorade is an example of a sports drink. Although it provides electrolytes your body needs, sports drinks are full of sugar. Sugar leads to cavities. Plus, drinking over a period of time exposes your teeth to sugar for a longer amount of time. Stick to water and have sports drinks sparingly.
• Energy Drinks – You’ll get a kick of energy, but you will also damage your teeth. Most energy drinks have carbonation (which is carbonic acid). This leads to tooth erosion and damage. If you look on the label of these drinks, you’ll also find that there is an incredible amount of sugar in them. If you consume energy drinks often, choose ones that are carbonation-free and sugar-free. Your teeth and your health will thank you.
• Soda – We mentioned that carbonation contains carbonic acid. This acid is what provides that pop in your mouth. Sodas are full of carbonic acid, which erodes your teeth. Limit your soda consumption (as they are also full of sugar) and wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth right after drinking could cause the acid to take a layer of your tooth enamel off.

The Health of Your Teeth

If you want to improve the health of your teeth, watch your diet. Eating and drinking is a large part of life, but it can lead to oral health issues if you don’t take care of those pearly whites. We can assess your oral health and let you know if you have signs of tooth decay. Call Mountain Aire Dentistry today at (303) 731-7755!