Trying to avoid cavities? Taking better care of your teeth isn’t just about brushing twice and flossing once daily. The food and drinks we consume affect us more than we know, starting with the teeth.
If taking better care of your teeth is important to you, knowing which foods and drinks to avoid is a great starting point. For this reason, City Dental Centers has put together this list of some of the top foods and drinks that damage your teeth. Some of them are pretty obvious, others might surprise you. Limiting your intake of these foods and drinks can improve your health and well-being.
Foods and Drinks That Damage Your Teeth
Bread
Bread isn’t the worst thing for you, but it’s important to understand that when you chew bread your saliva breaks down the starches into sugar. The bread then sticks to the crevices between teeth and can easily lead to cavities and other problems. Whole wheat is generally a better choice when it comes to bread as it contains less added sugars that aren’t as easily broken down.
Citrus
Don’t get us wrong. Oranges are GOOD for you. So are grapefruits and lemons when used as both fruits and juices. They are packed with Vitamin C and they taste great! Unfortunately, their acid content can erode enamel. This makes teeth more vulnerable to decay. Moderate your consumption of any products containing citrus and do your best to rinse your mouth with water afterward or brush your teeth.
Potato Chips
Potato chips are loaded with starch which, just like in the case of bread, breaks down into sugar. This sugar gets trapped in the teeth and helps the buildup of plaque. Because chips are frequently eaten in excess, make it a point to brush and/or floss after finishing a bag. Your teeth will need it!
Carbonated Drinks
Labeled with enticing words like “refreshing” and “energizing”, carbonated drinks are some of the worst things we consume under the guise of them actually being anything close to refreshing. Sodas are known to actually dehydrate you. Producing less saliva in combination with the carbonation actually allows the plaque to produce more acid to attack tooth enamel. Dark-colored sodas additionally can actually stain or discolor your teeth. Yikes!
Sodas are definitely worth removing from your diet if at all possible. However, cutting back is better than putting forth no other effort at all.
Candy
Even as adults, candy and other similar sweets are still just as enjoyable as they were when we were children. They can be sugary and stick to your teeth for long periods of time. Cut back on candy whenever you can.
Alcohol
Alcohol causes plenty of known problems towards the body. Drinking alcohol also dries out your mouth. Saliva is necessary to keep the mouth clean of bacteria and washes away food particles. It can even help repair early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections.
Convenient Dentist Offices in Southern California
Doctor Sam Shahovesi and the team at City Dental Centers are here to provide our patients with the best dental services and dental surgeries for children and adults of all ages. From toddlers to seniors, City Dental Centers offers six convenient dentist offices in Southern California. We even have a dedicated children’s dentist office, City Dental Kids & Braces, to cater to the special physical and emotional needs of children.
Whether you need checkups, x-rays, braces, bonding, teeth whitening, sealants, oral cancer screenings, root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, or tooth extraction, City Dental Centers is here to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible.
Contact The Nearest Dentist to You
Ready to experience the best dentists in Los Angeles? Choose one of the convenient dental offices we have surrounding LA. We have dental practices in Azusa, Corona, Lake Forest, Montclair, Pico Rivera, and West Covina. You can call our main line at (888) 624-8933 or reach out to an office directly with the information below. We’re so happy you’ve chosen City Dental Centers. We can’t wait to help you along your dental journey and brighten your beautiful smile!
Dentist in Azusa, CA
Location: 483 S. Citrus Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Phone: (626) 966-3400
Dentist in Corona, CA
Location: 161 McKinley St. STE 102, Corona, CA 92879
Phone: (951) 737-3746
Dentist in Lake Forest, CA
Location: 24602 Raymond Way #210, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Phone: (949) 461-5800
Dentist in Montclair, CA
Location: 5182 Moreno St, Montclair, CA 91763
Phone: (909) 295-3477
Dentist in Pico Rivera, CA
Location: 9400 Whittier Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Phone: (562) 949-2526
Dentist in West Covina, CA
Location: 154 Plaza Dr, West Covina, CA 91790
Phone: (626) 962-1722