The inside of your mouth is a pretty amazing food devouring machine. Humans have four different types of teeth, each with its own specific function.
- Incisors: cutting food into pieces.
- Canines: tearing food into bits.
- Premolars and Molars: crushing food even further before swallowing.
Foods Bad For Our Teeth
We love to put these eating tools to the test, chomping down on edibles that are tough, chewy, sticky, hard, and acidic to list a few tooth-damaging adjectives. Most of us know candy and teeth don’t go well together, as well as biting into ice cubes or caramels can lead to problems. But you may be surprised by the number of other foods we enjoy on a regular basis that threaten the health of your teeth.
Crackers
Those Goldfish crackers kids love (and really, all crackers) can cause more cavities than candy. Here’s why. The residue from crackers contains carbs which saliva breaks down into to sugar. Unlike candy which we tend to consume in moderation, it is easy to eat cracker by the handful and wait until bedtime to brush our teeth leaving ample time for plaque buildup.
Gummy Vitamins
The usual order of events in the morning is to brush your teeth then take your vitamins. If gummy vitamins are your supplement of choice, there is a sticky residue hanging out for the rest of the day attacking your teeth. It’s better to chew gummy vitamins first, then brush.
Citrus Fruits
The acid in citrus fruits can erode tooth enamel over time. Even the simple addition of a slice of lime or lemon to a drink can cause problems.
Popcorn
Crunchy, salty popcorn is a fun treat at the movies or for snacking on the go. Popcorn creates lactic acid in your mouth which wears away at your teeth. Plus, un-popped kernels can cause real damage to the surface of your teeth. And to top it off, the thin husks can get wedged between your teeth and gums, sometimes requiring a dentist to dig deep to remove them.
Sports and Energy Drinks
Just like soda and juice, these drinks contain sugar and other additives that eat away at the tooth enamel. But because of the way they are marketed we may assume they are healthier options.
The issue with all these risky consumables is that the bacteria in plaque uses sugars to produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel. Over time the enamel to breaks down causing a hole in the surface of your tooth or teeth. In between brushing and flossing, drinking plain water throughout the day can help wash away some of the sugar that stays on your teeth. It’s also a good idea to limit items from this list in your diet or brush as soon as possible after eating or drinking them.
