As children, you were taught that candy and other sweet foods are bad for your teeth. You can’t have too much chocolate or sugary candy. And if you had, you need to brush your teeth after eating so that you don’t have toothache later on. In school, you were taught by the school dentist that flossing and brushing twice every day is the best way to keep the teeth healthy. Unfortunately, other than sugarcoated or sweet foods, there are foods that may be considered healthy but actually can damage the teeth.
The following foods are known to be healthy foods. But they’re not healthy for the teeth.
Carbohydrates
White bread and pasta are thought of to be good for the teeth. These foods are processed as sugars and when they get stuck in between your teeth, they initiate the build-up of acid and plaque growth. The better alternative is the whole-grain carbs. Non-sugary beverages should help wash away the carb-heavy meals. And so is brushing after eating.
Dried Fruits
By simple assumption from the basic knowledge that fruits are good for your health, dried fruits are not good for your teeth. Fresh fruits are but not the dried and processed one. Fresh fruits have no other ingredients that can cause damage to your teeth unlike dried fruits that have too much sugar. Dried fruits like raisins can stick to your teeth and cause rapid plaque growth.
Dairy Products
These foods are a good source of calcium. But they also contain lactose and other sugars which can damage your teeth. While a glass of warm milk before going to bed may be advised for those who want to have a good sleep, it is one of the worst decisions you can make for your teeth. If you must, get the low-fat or fat-free dairy products. And you can increase your consumption of green leafy vegetables to provide the calcium needed by the body.
Orange Juice
Because it’s made from fruits, people tend to think that it’s healthy. Truth is, orange juice has high acid content and it can cause more harm to the teeth than good. If orange juice is a must, try the low-acid orange juice or make sure you brush your teeth immediately after drinking the juice. Fresh oranges have the same effect on your teeth. While the gums will benefit from the citrusy fruit, the teeth will be damaged.
Citrus Fruits
The Vitamin C in citrus fruits such as lemons, kiwis, grapefruit, limes and other varieties of citrus fruits (including oranges) are good for the gums. Unfortunately, the acid in the citrus fruits can damage your teeth. Consume the citrus fruits in moderation to strike a balance between maximizing gum health and keeping the teeth damage-free.
While these foods are healthy for other reasons, they may not be good for your teeth. A compromise would be to have them in moderation and make sure you brush, clean off, wash away any residue or debris of these foods in order to avoid damaging your teeth. After having your meals, drink water. Chew sugarless gums, rinse with an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash and floss and brush with toothpaste – these will help reduce the risk of damage to your teeth.
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