Top 8 Foods that Cause Tooth Decay

Everyone knows that sugary foods and drinks are major causes of tooth decay. That's because the mouth's bacteria digests the sugars, which produces a mild acid known for attacking tooth enamel. But, there are other foods and drinks that an also assault the health of your teeth.

Dental experts advise drinking plenty of water after eating sugary foods. Water helps to dilute the harmful acids. They also recommend brushing and flossing after each meal to remove leftover food particles that can harm tooth enamel. This is very beneficial to your teeth, especially after eating foods that can damage your teeth.

8 Foods and Drinks Responsible for Tooth Decay

1. Hard Candy – Sucking on any type of hard candy causes it to dissolve very slowly in your mouth. This is very harmful on your teeth because it prolongs the amount of time the acids remain inside your mouth.
2. Sticky Foods – Anything sticky, such as toffee, gummy bears, caramel, dried fruits, melted marshmallows, etc… Prevent your saliva from reaching your teeth. Saliva is necessary in order to neutralize the effects the acids from these foods have on your enamel. Chewy, sticky foods and candies can also pull out your crowns and fillings.
3. Acidic Fruits – Although fruits are very healthy for the body in general, acidic fruits have a way of de-mineralizing your teeth. Some of these fruits include lemons, oranges, tangerines and limes.
4. Sport Drinks and Juices – Many of these liquids are very high in acids, which can cause your teeth to decay quickly. Sugar-free sodas, regular soft drinks and other carbonated liquids also fall into this category.
5. Popcorn – This is a natural producer of acid inside your mouth. Popcorn also causes decay when bits of it get stuck in between your teeth. This causes hot-spots of acid, which is even more damaging to teeth. You can also risk cracking a tooth on one of those pesky unpopped kernels.
6. Coffee – This is a big cause of tooth decay because so many people consume large amounts of coffee every day. Coffee contains coloring agents and artificial flavors that are very harmful to your enamel. It also causes tooth discoloration.
7. Milk – It's true that milk does a body good. But, it can be very harmful to teeth, especially when it contains sugar. This is especially true for babies because they tend to hold the milk in their mouths for long periods of time, especially when drinking a bottle to go to sleep. Proper dental hygiene can prevent damage in this case.
8. Alcoholic Beverages – Excessive alcohol consumption can completely remove the enamel from the surface of your teeth. This not only causes tooth decay, but it also leads to tooth discoloration as well.

Prevent Tooth Decay

It's very important to pay attention to the foods you eat in order to prevent tooth decay. Brushing and flossing regularly will help to destroy any acids left over from foods you eat, as well as harmful food particles. For the best dental health possible, you also need to get dental check-ups regularly. Iverson Orthodontics is a leader in preventive dental care and dental emergencies. Schedule your dental appointment today with the Holladay Orthodontic Specialist you can trust.

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