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Did you know the foods and beverages that we consume can directly impact our oral health? While foods like vegetables, dairy products, etc., can strengthen our teeth, there are a few foods you should stay away from. This includes chips, hard candies, ice, gummy bears, and popcorn kernels. Each of these foods can wreak havoc on your teeth by wearing down enamel, increasing the risk of decay, and staining teeth. Read on to learn more about a few foods and beverages that are bad for our oral health.

• Hard candy

Hard candy is not good for your teeth. The sugary ingredients in the candy can lead to tooth decay, especially if eaten frequently. The sugar in the hard candy will cling to your teeth, and the longer it stays on your teeth, the more likely you are to damage them. Additionally, the sugary candy often sticks to between your teeth, which can increase your risk of cavities.

• Sticky foods

Sticky foods are highly prone to collecting bacteria, so it’s best to clean your teeth after you eat sticky foods. Minimize your consumption of the following:

• Candy
• Gum
• Caramel
• Lollipops

• Ice

Ice is not food. But many people enjoy chewing ice. In fact, it’s potentially bad for your teeth. Not to mention, it’s terrible for your jaws and can cause teeth to crack.

Ice is made of frozen water. When it melts in your mouth, it expands. This expansion puts pressure on your jaw joint, which can (and does) lead to TMJ disorder.

• Sugary foods

Sticky candies and sweets cling to teeth. The longer sugar lingers in the mouth, the more it fuels bacteria growth. But it’s not just sugar you need to watch out for. Carbohydrates, including crackers, cereal, and bread, break down into simple sugars that feed bacteria.

• Citrus fruits and acidic foods

While citrus fruits can make a delicious addition to a meal, they also have a high acid content that can erode the teeth. When the enamel of the teeth is worn away, the teeth become even more vulnerable to tooth decay. Acidic foods can also lead to sensitive teeth and other dental problems. Stay away from acidic foods like oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, lemons, pickles, and vinegar.

• Tomatoes

Tomatoes are acidic, and when eaten often, they can wear away at the enamel on your teeth. When enamel is worn away, it leaves teeth vulnerable to cavities. Tomatoes also have a high sugar content, which feeds oral bacteria. Regularly eating foods like tomatoes can result in tooth decay.

• Coffee and tea

Coffee and tea can stain your teeth. This staining is permanent and can make your teeth look unnatural. If you consume a lot of coffee, tea, or soda, talk to your dentist in Mesa, AZ about ways to whiten your teeth. He or she may recommend a teeth-whitening treatment or may suggest cutting back on these tooth-staining foods. 

Arizona Dental Heights, situated in Mesa, AZ, is equipped with modern technologies and expert dentists who provide the best services to patients. Call (480) 525-6000 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to learn more about the dental services we offer.