5 Surprising Foods That Ruin Your Teeth

Posted on: 18 April 2017

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Your teeth will no doubt suffer some enamel erosion, cavities, and other such problems over the years, simply because of age and everyday wear and tear. However, there are many things that people do that hurt their teeth, increasing their risk of enamel loss and even tooth loss, including eating certain foods. Note a few of those everyday foods here so you can avoid them and protect your teeth as much as possible.

Ice

While ice in your drinks is not bad for your teeth, chewing ice can cause damage. Ice is very dense and can easily chip away at the edges of your teeth, or wear them down over time. If you need a way to cool down and hydrate yourself, have some ice chips rather than cubes. Don't bite down or gnaw on the ice; just let it melt in your mouth.

Citrus fruits

The acids in citrus fruits that give them their acerbic taste are also very damaging to tooth enamel. Having occasional citrus fruit in your diet is probably not going to cause too much damage, but avoid sucking on lemon or lime wedges every day so you keep this damage to a minimum.

Coffee

Coffee beans have a natural acid that is similar to citrus fruits; some of that acid may be reduced when you brew coffee, but some remains, and this acid may cause eventual damage to your tooth enamel. Coffee also stains the teeth so that you may need to have them bleached or cleaned, which can also be somewhat unhealthy and damaging for them.

Sticky foods

The sugars and syrups that make food sticky can cling to your teeth and be very difficult to remove, even with brushing, flossing and rinsing. Some sticky foods can even pull out a filling! Avoid these as much as possible, especially if these foods are very chewy and don't break down easily in the mouth.

Alcohol

Saliva is needed to wash away bacteria, germs, food particles and other damaging elements in the mouth, so it's good to always keep the mouth hydrated and avoid dry mouth if you can. Alcohol causes this dryness in the mouth, which can then lead to bacteria build-up and eventual cavities. Drinking alcohol right before bedtime can be especially damaging, if you tend to sleep with your mouth open. The combination of alcohol and air on the teeth can dry your mouth significantly, leading to a greater risk of tooth decay over the years.