7 Foods That Are Bad For Your Teeth

Every week we provide a “Healthy Choice of the Week” for foods that help you maintain a strong, healthy, and white smile. But what about the foods that aren’t good for your teeth - some of which adults and children consume daily.

Not sure which ones you should be cautious of? We’ve listed below 7 foods that are bad for your teeth - courtesy of HuffingtonPost.com. Please note: some of the foods listed below are not necessarily bad for your health (like dried fruits), but you should still brush and rinse after consumption to help prevent tooth decay.

1. Alcohol: Alcohol is corrosive to the gums, cheeks, and skin as well as decreases the amount of natural saliva
2. Dried Fruits: These snacks are sticky and high in sugar, and easily adhere to teeth. The adhered sugar will feed the bacteria in the mouth which can promote dental erosion.
3. Sugary Drinks: Sodas and sports drinks are especially bad when sipping for periods of time. Continuous sipping means teeth are getting bathed with a constant layer of acid. (Avoid filling children’s sippy cups with these beverages for this reason)
4. Hard Candies: Not only do they stick to your teeth, but they linger in the mouth for a long period of time waiting to dissolve
5. Citrus/Acidic Foods: Foods high in acid (like citrus or tomatoes) can promote tooth decay when eaten alone. Be sure to flush your mouth with water after consuming them in order to buffer the acid
6. Starchy Foods: Foods like chips and white bread can easily get trapped in teeth - which feeds the bacteria the makes up plaque
7. Coffee: Not only does it stain your pearly whites, but it makes the teeth stickier - giving food particles the chance to latch on

For more information, please read Huffington Post’s full article. Do you consume these foods often?