Four Surprising Foods That Are Bad For Your Teeth

When it comes to your teeth, most individuals are aware of the basic ways to keep your oral health at a maximum: brush at least twice daily (three according to some dental experts), floss after meals, and visit the dentist regularly. While the majority of people can complete those tasks without problem, many are unaware of the damage that can be done to teeth simply by eating foods (and drinking certain drinks). Continue reading to learn more about the top four most surprising foods that are bad for your teeth:

Dried Fruit

While it may seem strange or impossible, dried fruit can actually be damaging to the health of your teeth. Since fruit is generally accepted to be a healthy food, many people cannot understand how fruit could possibly lend to tooth decay.

All fruits naturally contain a certain amount of sugar, so it should be of no surprise that dried fruit is no different. The game changer within dried fruit is the form itself-- the sticky chewy treat will stick to your teeth until you brush it off, causing the perfect situation for plaque and bacteria to grow.

Ice

While not technically food, many individuals chomp down on ice like it's the best frozen treat they've ever encountered. It could be addictive (especially in the sweaty heat of summer), but dentists warn that the bad habit can increase your chances of tooth decay, erode the enamel on your teeth, and even cause potentially lasting damage to previous dental work (like fillings).

Mints

If you suffer from bad breath, you may have gotten sucked into the habit of constantly sucking on breath mints in an attempt to solve the problem. Although these candies may make your mouth feel minty fresh, all you're actually doing is building up layers of sugar all over your teeth. 

Switching to sugar free gum (or mints) can go a long way towards reducing tooth decay. Since chewing increases the amount of saliva within your mouth (and saliva in turn reduces harmful sugar on your teeth), the American Dental Association has praised the use of sugar free chewing gum after meals. 

Bread, Potatoes, and Other Carbs

Although it's true that foods rich in carbohydrates are very rarely also high in sugar, carbohydrates can leave acids on your teeth, producing bacteria and leading towards tooth decay.

Remember that although it's allowable to have any of the foods on this list from time to time, you should brush your teeth after each meal to remove any potential bacteria that may still be hanging around. For more information, you may want to contact a local general dentistry clinic. 


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