Everyone deserves a treat now and then, but some foods and drinks contain ingredients that may put your dental health at risk. To protect your teeth from decay and prevent a nasty toothache, talk to your family dentist about how your diet can affect your oral health. Limiting your intake of these ingredients is a good start.

Substances That Can Harm Your Teeth

1. Sugar

Any family dentist will tell you that simple sugars are a leading cause of tooth decay, but you might be surprised at some of the foods and drinks that are loaded with sugar. Sports drinks, low-fat yogurt, and condiments, like ketchup and barbecue sauce, are some of the worst offenders.

2. Acid

Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and processed meats, can eat away at tooth enamel. Coffee, even without sugar, can also harm your teeth because of its high acid content. Sour candies pose a double threat, being high in both sugar and acid.

3. Alcohol

Alcohol causes dehydration, hindering your mouth’s ability to produce saliva and wash away plaque naturally. Beer and hard cider are the most acidic alcoholic beverages, while clear liquors contain the least amount of acid. Ask your family dentist how much alcohol is too much in terms of dental health.

4. Starch

Starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes, and pasta harm teeth, in a couple of different ways. As you eat them, they form a sticky paste that clings to your teeth, and then they break down into sugars that can produce tooth decay. If you eat these foods, brush your teeth afterward.

5. Carbonation

You might think it’s just the sugar in carbonated drinks that puts your teeth at risk of decay, but the bubbles pose a danger, too. Most soft drinks contain acids that break down the enamel, and carbonation activates plaque to produce even more acid.

Serving the east side of Cincinnati, Christopher F. Heck, DMD - Montgomery General Dentistry provides a wide range of dental services for patients of all ages. Whether you need a simple checkup, root canal, or teeth whitening treatment, their experienced team offers individualized care using state-of-the-art technology. To book an appointment with a family dentist today, call (513) 794-1884 or contact the practice online.