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10 Foods That Can Harm Your Dental Health More Than Candy

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24th Jun 2021




Any food you eat regularly affects your overall health and your oral health is not an exception. So, it’s essential to pay special attention to your diet and know what foods can sabotage your smile. In fact, some products can even be more harmful than candy. 

Candy is known for being extremely bad for your teeth. However, it’s not the only food that can ruin your dental health. Everything from your favorite grocery store staples to your favorite drink could make your teeth fall out as well as weaken your gums and provoke huge inflammation. In addition to practicing good dental care, try limiting the following foods: 

1. Juice 

Bottled juice is an acidic drink that’s actually full of added sugars. Added sugar is what cavity-causing bacteria feed on. The good news is that apple juice usually doesn’t contain added sugars, so you can sip on it without fear of dental problems. Water down apple juice to reduce the natural sugar further or make other juices yourself at home. 

2. Tea, coffee, and frappes 

Tea and coffee may bring you some energy, however, they’re not teeth-friendly. They’re both acidic as well as possess diuretic properties, meaning that they can dry out your mouth. Proper saliva production is crucial for your dental health since saliva helps wash away harmful bacteria and food particles. Plus, it provides your teeth with the necessary minerals and keeps gum disease at bay. Frappes are even worse, as they're extremely high in sugars.  

3. Cough drops

Cough drops actually contain added sugars too. People who suck on cough drops for a long time run the risk of developing tooth decay. 

4. Yogurt 

While plain yogurt is good for your health due to its content of probiotics and calcium, flavored yogurt that comes with sweet fruit purees contains a ton of sugar and acid. So, eating flavored yogurt for better health is pointless. 

5. Dried fruit 

In addition to being high in sugars, dried fruit tends to stick to teeth, thus feeding bad oral bacteria. Sugar that gets stuck between your teeth is actually the perfect formula for multiple cavities. Replace dried fruits with fresh options. 

6. Pasta sauce 

Of course, tomatoes are healthy but they also contain acids. Consuming tomato sauce with spaghetti doubles the damage to teeth. The acidic sauce is capable of breaking down the enamel on your teeth, while the carbs from pasta feed harmful dental bacteria. 

7. Gummy vitamins 

Keep in mind that gummy vitamins are still a piece of candy. They’re packed with sugar and also sticky. This makes it easy for them to get stuck in between your teeth and lead to cavities. Instead, opt for vitamins you need to swallow or at least chewable varieties that crumble. 

8. Alcohol 

Hard liquor, wine, cocktails, and beer can damage your teeth significantly. In fact, beer erodes your tooth enamel similarly to soda, while wine can be high in sugar (a glass of sweet wine can contain up to eight grams). Alcohol cocktails have even more sugar than sweet wine. Plus, any type of alcoholic beverage dries out the mouth which can speed up tooth decay. 

9. Sports and energy drinks 

It’s well known that sports and energy drinks are packed with acids and sugar that can do a number to your oral health. Moreover, many of them contain a special sticky substance to keep the coloring evenly distributed in the drink. Sugars and acids will stay on your teeth even longer. Choose plain water instead. 

10. Apple cider vinegar 

Apple cider vinegar has a number of health benefits, but you might not even know that its high content of acids can ruin your enamel. If apple cider vinegar consumption is a part of your regimen, always dilute it with water and rinse well afterward.