These 10 foods could be ruining your teeth (without you knowing).

Did you know that the health of your teeth doesn’t just depend on regular brushing? Diet also plays a key role in maintaining a healthy smile. 

After all, the saying “you are what you eat” also applies to our teeth. So if you want to keep your smile bright and cavity-free, you’d better keep an eye on the foods that can wreak havoc on your teeth.

We will now reveal a list of foods that can harm your oral health. To avoid headaches (or rather, toothaches), it is important to keep an eye on these “villains” and moderate their consumption:

Citrus fruits 

Citrus fruits, such as lemons, oranges, grapes, pineapples and others, are refreshing and full of vitamin C, but their high acid content can be harmful to your teeth if you consume too much. 

The acid in these fruits can also erode tooth enamel over time, making them more sensitive and prone to cavities. Therefore, it is important to consume these fruits in moderation. 

Tips: rinse your mouth with water after consumption and consume these fruits with other foods, such as yogurt.

Dried fruits 

Dried and candied fruits, such as raisins and dried bananas, are foods that are usually high in sugar. It is important to avoid consuming these foods, especially before bed. 

This is because if you do not brush your teeth properly, residue from these foods will remain in contact with your teeth and gums overnight, which can encourage the growth of bacteria and the development of cavities.

Acidic sauces

1. Tomato-derived sauces (such as tomato sauces and ketchup);
2. Citrus sauces (such as lemon and orange);
3. Vinegar-based sauces.

These acidic sauces can cause demineralization of tooth enamel, resulting in discoloration, dentin sensitivity, and potentially tooth decay. 

It is recommended to consume these foods along with others that have a high pH level and low acidity, such as nuts, cheeses and oats, to help neutralize the acidity and minimize the harmful effects on teeth. 

Additionally, it is important to wait about 20 to 30 minutes after consuming acidic foods before brushing your teeth, allowing saliva to neutralize the oral pH and help protect tooth enamel.

Soft drinks

Soft drinks are refreshing and tasty, but they are also real villains for oral health. 

They are highly acidic and full of sugar, which creates the perfect environment for cavities to develop. Additionally, carbonated drinks can also cause erosion of tooth enamel, which can weaken it, leaving it more vulnerable to damage, staining, and other problems.

 So, if you want to protect your smile, it's best to cut down on these drinks.

Red wine and alcoholic beverages

Drinking red wine can cause stains on your teeth over time. These drinks contain pigments and dyes that can deposit on your tooth enamel, resulting in unwanted stains. 

Additionally, these drinks can contain substances that are corrosive to the tissues of the mouth, gums, cheeks, and teeth. These substances can also decrease the production of saliva, which is responsible for helping to remove food debris from the mouth. 

When there is a lack of saliva, the mouth becomes dry, which creates a favorable environment for the development of bacteria. This increases the chances of developing cavities.

It is important to consume them in moderation and adopt a good oral hygiene routine to minimize the effects of stains.

Coffee 

For many people, coffee is an essential drink in their daily lives. However, it can be a real enemy of a white smile. 

Coffee contains substances called tannins, which can stain tooth enamel over time. If you don’t want to give up your morning coffee, try to drink it in moderation and brush your teeth afterward to minimize these negative effects.

Sweets and candies

There's no denying it, sweets are a real temptation. However, they are the biggest enemies of our teeth. 

This is because sweets contain sugar, which is the perfect fuel for the bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria feed on the sugar and release acids, which attack tooth enamel and can lead to cavities.

Sticky sweets like caramels, gum, and candies are real champions when it comes to causing cavities. They stick to your teeth and provide a feast for bacteria.

Food that is too hot or too cold

It is important to be careful about consuming foods and drinks that are extremely hot or extremely cold, as this can cause tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is a condition in which the teeth become sensitive to thermal stimuli, such as heat or cold.

To prevent tooth sensitivity through diet, try to avoid extreme temperatures when consuming food and drinks. If you like to drink hot coffee or tea, for example, wait a while for it to cool down a bit before drinking it. 

Likewise, if you like cold drinks, try not to consume them at very low temperatures.

Hard foods

Some foods that we will mention now may not cause direct problems for oral health, but they hide a potential risk. 

This includes unpopped popcorn, bones, and ice. While these foods aren't harmful in themselves, they can cause cracks in your teeth and damage your enamel if you bite down too hard.

Therefore, it is important to avoid biting into foods that are too hard for your teeth to handle.

Processed carbohydrates

Foods high in carbohydrates, especially those that contain starch, such as white bread, chips, cereals, and cookies, are delicious, but they can also wreak havoc on your teeth.

Just like some of the previous foods, when we eat these foods, the bacteria in our mouth feed on the carbohydrate residues and release acids that can lead to the formation of cavities. In addition, they can easily “hide” in our teeth. 

Therefore, it is important to moderate consumption and, most importantly, maintain good oral hygiene.

Warnings

Remember, these foods we mentioned do not need to be completely eliminated from your life, but it is important to consume them in moderation and maintain a strict oral hygiene routine. 

There is also no point in stopping eating these foods if you are not in the habit of brushing your teeth after meals and before going to bed, as well as flossing regularly.

Also, don’t forget to schedule regular visits with your dentist. They will be able to provide personalized guidance, perform professional cleanings, and identify any problems that may arise early.

Remember that oral health is an essential part of your overall health, and taking care of your teeth and gums is a valuable long-term investment.

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Source and bibliography: 

1. Ministry of Health – Dental Caries 
2. Soft drinks and oral health. 
3. Total tooth loss: Possible roles of citrus fruit consumption, vitamin C, and inflammatory and thrombotic variables.
4. Effect of coloring and acidic beverages on the color stability of tooth enamel.