Cavities are sneaky little troublemakers. They form when bacteria in your mouth eat sugar and turn it into acid. This acid attacks your teeth, creating holes called cavities. Preventive dentistry with Ankita J Patel, DDS, is the best way to fight cavities, but watching what you eat and drink is just as important.
If you suspect that your favorite treats are wreaking havoc on your smile, it’s time to contact our dentist in Plano, TX. Give our team a call at (972) 867-5989 to schedule a visit now!
Some foods and drinks cause cavities faster than you think! In today’s post, Dr. Patel looks at 10 of the worst foods and beverages and why they can harm your teeth.
1. Sticky Candy
Sticky candies (like gummy bears, chewy taffy, or stretchy caramel) are terrible for your teeth. These treats adhere to the surface of teeth, giving bacteria plenty of fuel and time to create cavities.
Sticky candy is also hard to remove, even with brushing and flossing, which means it lingers on your enamel and does damage over time. The constant exposure to sugar allows harmful bacteria to thrive, leading to faster decay. If you love sweets, consider switching to less sticky options or brushing 30 minutes after eating them to reduce harm.
Try instead: Sugar-free gum or dark chocolate.
2. Soda
Regular soda is simply packed with sugar and acid, which destroy your enamel. Even diet soda is harmful because of its acidity. This can lead to cavities quickly, especially if you sip on soda throughout the day.
The constant exposure to sugar and acid erodes enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to decay. Even worse, the carbonation in soda can make teeth more porous over time. If you drink soda, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth, and rinse your mouth with water afterward to help neutralize acids and wash away residual sugars.
Try instead: Herbal teas.
3. Dried Fruit
Dried fruit may seem healthy, but it can be just as bad as candy. It’s sticky, sugary, and clings to teeth, speeding up cavity formation.
Since dried fruit lacks water, the sugar concentration is much higher than in fresh fruit. It gets stuck in between teeth and stays there longer than you realize. Raisins, apricots, and figs may offer nutritional benefits, but they also create the perfect environment for cavity-causing bacteria.
Be sure to rinse with water and floss after eating dried fruit to reduce the risk of cavities.
Try instead: Fresh fruit like apples or grapes.
4. Ice Cream
Ice cream is yummy, but it is loaded with enamel-destroying sugar. But as it melts, it coats your teeth with sugar that feeds cavity-causing bacteria.
If you eat it often, the continuous sugar exposure can wear down enamel and lead to serious decay. Try choosing lower-sugar ice cream options or drinking a glass of water after indulging to help clear sugar from your mouth.
Try instead: Plain yogurt with fresh berries.
5. Potato Chips
Potato chips don’t seem sweet, but they contain starchy carbohydrates, which turn into sugar in your mouth. The starch then feeds bacteria, which can encourage decay.
Since chips often come in large portions, it’s easy to snack on them for long periods, allowing the starch to coat your teeth and fuel cavities. Try to enjoy smaller portions, and chase your snack with water to reduce starchy buildup.
Try instead: Cheese crisps or nuts.
6. Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are a great way to replenish electrolytes and fluids after exercise, but many of them contain a lot of sugar and acid. This means that they can erode enamel and lead to cavities fast.
Some sports drinks contain almost as much sugar as soda, making them equally harmful. And if you sip on them throughout the day, you’re exposing your teeth to unnecessary damage. If you must drink sports drinks, try to do so in one sitting rather than sipping all day, and always rinse with water afterward.
Try instead: Coconut water or plain water.
7. White Bread
The refined carbs in white bread convert to sugar almost immediately, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. The soft texture also makes it easy for bread to get stuck in crevices and between teeth, allowing cavities to form quickly. Switching to whole-grain options with more fiber can help reduce the impact on your teeth.
Try instead: Whole grain bread or lettuce wraps.
8. Citrus Fruits
Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are healthy, but their acid can weaken enamel and leave teeth vulnerable to decay. If you eat them too often, they can cause cavities over time.
Drinking citrus juices or sucking on lemons can be especially harmful. If you enjoy citrus, pair it with meals instead of eating it alone, and rinse your mouth with water afterward to help reduce acid attacks.
Try instead: Pears, berries, or apples.
9. Coffee with Sugar
Many people love a sweet cup of coffee, but adding sugar makes it harmful. Coffee is also acidic, which can wear down enamel and lead to cavities.
If you must sweeten your coffee, use a small amount of stevia or a sugar substitute instead of regular sugar. Drinking water alongside coffee can also help reduce its negative effects.
Try instead: Black coffee or coffee with unsweetened almond milk.
10. Energy Drinks
Energy drinks can create cavities much faster than you think! They usually have high levels of sugar and acid, making them one of the worst drinks for teeth. The combination of acid and sugar in energy drinks rapidly wears down enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to destructive bacteria.
Try instead: Green or white tea.
How to Protect Your Teeth
Even if you eat or drink some of these foods, you can still protect your teeth by:
- Brushing twice a day with enamel-repairing toothpaste
- Flossing daily
- Drinking plenty of uncarbonated, unflavored water
- Visiting a dentist in Plano, TX, every six months
Fight Cavities with Ankita J Patel, DDS, in Plano, TX
Keeping your smile cavity-free is as easy as visiting our dentist in Plano, TX, every six months. So, schedule an appointment here or call (972) 867-5989 to keep your smile in tip-top shape for life!