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While an accident or bad habits, like smoking, can result in damaged teeth, most of the problems dentists address are the result of the food you eat and whether or not you take the proper oral care steps afterward. But what meals and drinks are the worst for you? The guide below answers some common questions about how your diet affects your dental health. 

How Certain Foods Impact Your Teeth 

What foods are more likely to give you cavities? 

Sugar is the most common reason for developing cavities, and it can be found even in foods where you may not expect it.

In addition to being an ingredient in candies, cookies, and pastries, sugar results from breaking down carbohydrates and starch. Bread, starchy vegetables, and even most fruits can leave sugar on your teeth if eaten in large amounts. 

Is there anything other than sugar that can cause decay? 

High levels of acid can hurt your teeth as much as sugar. It wears away your enamel, which generally can’t be replaced, making your teeth sensitive and vulnerable to decay.

Citrus fruits and berries tend to contain a lot of acid. Most sodas are not only sugary but filled with a high volume of acid. Coffee, tea, and alcohol tend to be acidic as well. 

dentistWhat foods cause staining? 

Besides their slight levels of acid, coffee and tea contain chemicals that stain your teeth a dark or yellowish color. Fruit juice and red wine tend to be similarly problematic.

A dentist can usually resolve this with a teeth whitening treatment, but it’s preferable to avoid the problem in the first place. The caffeine in coffee and tea and the chemical makeup of alcohol can also cause mouth dryness.  

Should you avoid certain textures in your food? 

Hard foods can crack or chip your teeth when you bite down on them, sometimes warranting an emergency trip to the dentist. This is why you shouldn’t chew on ice cubes. However, hard candies like lollipops and jawbreakers present the additional danger of causing sugar to linger on your teeth, building up tartar and plaque, because of how long it takes to eat them.

Chewy and stretchy foods, like gummy candies, taffy, and even dried fruit, have a tendency to stick to your teeth as well, stubbornly clinging even after you brush.

 
Looking for someone to restore your smile? Contact Stadler Dental Care in Columbus, NE. With nearly twenty years of experience and membership in the American Dental Association, Dr. Stadler stays informed on the latest techniques and performs all treatments with the best technology available—from simple teeth cleanings and tooth fillings to surgical tooth extractions and dental implants. Additionally, you can expect fast service and personalized attention at every visit. Make an appointment today by calling his office at (402) 564-4093 or sending a message online

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