You’ve heard your dentist warn about the dangers of candy, but the list of foods that are bad for your teeth is longer than you think. Sugar is an obvious culprit causing tooth decay and cavities, but the food’s texture and acidity can also pose a threat.

C.R. Sfeir D.D.S., General Dentistry in Lorain, OH, urges patients to pay attention to what they put in their mouths. They’re committed to safeguarding the area’s smiles, and they want to share the facts about what kinds of foods can harm your teeth.

5 Foods Dentists Recommend Staying Away From

1. Ice

It may only be hard water, but ice is one of the worst things to chew on. Ice can harm the tooth’s enamel and make chips, cracks, and emergency trips to the dentist more likely.

2. Potato Chips

You can’t stop at eating just one potato chip, but with each bite you take, you put the health of your teeth at risk. Chips are full of starch, which breaks down into sugar. It gets trapped between your teeth to feed plaque and form cavities.

3. Dried Fruits

Overall, dried fruits are a healthy snack option, but they’re not doing your teeth any favors. Many kinds of dried fruits are sticky and stretchy. The pulp clings to your teeth, and the natural sugar found in many kinds of fruit sinks into cracks and crevices.

4. Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is a tasty summertime treat, but it’s also to blame for a number of dentistry issues. Not only do the corn kernels get stuck between your teeth, but taking a big bite can loosen fillings, crack sealants, and break orthodontic wires.

5. White Bread

This one might come as a surprise, but white bread is full of simple sugars and refined carbs that dissolve in the mouth to coat the teeth. It turns into an enamel-eroding acid that gets stuck between teeth to cause cavities.

You don’t need to ban each of these foods from your diet to protect your teeth, but after eating, take the time to rinse and floss. Those extra few seconds will do wonders to prevent tooth decay. If you need a dentist, call C.R. Sfeir D.D.S., General Dentistry at (440) 960-5200 or visit their website for more information.