Often, people assume their teeth will stay healthy as long as they brush and floss their teeth. Although a solid daily dental hygiene regimen is crucial for protecting your teeth, eating a nutritious, smile-safe diet is also important for protecting your health. Here are five food enemies family dentists recommend avoiding to protect your teeth. 

The Top Foods Family Dentists Don’t Want You to Eat

1. Soda

Soda contains loads of citric acid, which can soften the dental enamel and pave the way for tooth decay. Additionally, many varieties of soda contain dyes that can seep through the dental enamel and discolor the dentin, leaving you with a dingy smile. 

2. Tortilla Chips

Tortilla chips are made from milled and baked corn, which can become exceptionally hard. When you munch away on tortilla chips, the teeth are at a higher risk of dental fractures and chips, and gum tissue and cheeks can become lacerated by the sharp edges of the snack. 

3. Hard Candy 

Chewing on hard candy can also increase the risks of dental fractures, while your mouth is simultaneously bathed in sugary-sweet residues that feed oral bacteria. Never use hard candies like mints to freshen your breath; instead, opt for soft, sugar-free gum. 

4. Popcorn

Popcorn kernels are another food item that can become exceptionally hard during cooking, and kernels can become lodged in your gum tissue, sparking infections. If you can’t resist the allure of popcorn, shop for kernel-free versions, which contain puffed corn that isn’t as hard or dangerous for your teeth. 

5. White Bread

Starchy foods like white bread, cookies, and cakes contain sticky particles that can stay on the teeth for hours, paving the way for tooth decay. Opt for whole-wheat bread when you enjoy a sandwich, and try to avoid hardened, crispy bread like baguettes, which can also fracture your teeth. 

How have your dietary habits impacted your teeth? Find out by making an appointment with Dr. James P. Driskell D.M.D. at Anchorage Dental Center. With more than twenty-five years’ experience and a commitment to affordable, thorough, and efficient dental care, this family dentist can help you with everything from basic preventative care to full smile restorations. Book your next appointment today by sending them a message online or giving them a call at (907) 278-2521.