Top 10 Food & Drinks that are Damaging Our Teeth

In this post, we write about the foods that are generally damaging to your teeth regardless of whether you had your teeth whitened. We’re not saying avoid these foods altogether, maybe just take them in moderation, and your teeth will thank you later.

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You might be surprised when you see some of the things on this list, we know we were.

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Here are the top 10 foods that are generally damaging to your teeth:

1. Citrus Fruits

Fruits such as oranges, lemon, lime, grapefruit etc. can be harmful to teeth if eaten in large amounts and all the time. The acid content in citrus fruits is higher than other fruits, therefore the acid can erode the enamel on our teeth which can make them more vulnerable to decay. So, if you enjoy citrus fruits, be sure to eat them in moderation.

2. Soft Drinks

Not only do soft drinks contain a lot of sugar, they also enable plaque to produce more acid which could then attack our teeth enamel. Drinking soft drinks can also dry out our mouth and dry mouths = less saliva. Less saliva means there is less liquid to wash away food particles stuck in our teeth and let’s not forget that soft drinks can stain our pearly whites!

3. Alcohol

Alcohol has pretty much the same effect on our teeth as soft drinks, although pretty sure soft drinks don’t give us hangovers!

4. Dried Fruit

Although dried fruits may seem like a healthier alternative to candy, most dried fruits are sticky. Sticky is bad for our teeth as little bits can get stuck in the crevices of our teeth as well as leave behind sugar, which means they are in our teeth longer.

5. Sports Drinks

Unfortunately, the top ingredient in sports drinks is sugar. While sports drinks can still be consumed by people doing vigorous physical activity, they should be consumed in moderation. Too much sugar exposure to our teeth can result in tooth decay, and nobody wants that.

6. Chewy Candy

This is a given. As kids, I’m sure we were all told not to eat too much candy or else our teeth will fall out, or some version of that. It’s true though, like dried fruits, chewy candy is sticky. It also contains a lot of sugar and bacteria burns sugar to create acid. And as mentioned before, acid erodes the enamel which can make our teeth more vulnerable and as well as cause cavities. So, let’s be sure to treat ourselves only occasionally.

7. Ice

Random right? Did you know ice was bad for your teeth? We didn’t. It’s the form that’s most damaging to our teeth. Chewing on something hard like ice can damage our enamel as well as make teeth susceptible to getting chipped and cracked/broken. So, you better find a different way to cool down in the summer, if chewing ice cubes is your thing.

8. White Bread

This one was also a surprise. When we eat bread, our saliva breaks down the starches into sugar, and as constantly repeated, sugar is a no-no. On top of that, the form that bread becomes once we chew is gloopy and a little bit sticky, therefore it gets stuck in our teeth and can cause cavities. If you love bread (which I’m sure most people do), you can minimise the effect by eating it moderately or switching to whole wheat as it contains less sugar.

9. Cough Medicine

We know this can’t be helped, especially if you have a cough, however the truth is most cough medicines do contain high amounts of sugar/ fructose corn syrup. If possible, try to buy sugar free cough medicine so your teeth are not being damaged in the process.

10. Potato Chips

Last, but not the least (this is a very condensed list, we just didn’t want to freak you out too much). Potato chips are loaded with starch, and we all remember what happens to starch? It becomes sugar. Also, like most foods, it can get stuck in our teeth and create plaque build-up.

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You’re probably thinking, well what can you eat? Pretty much everything, we just need to have everything in moderation so we’re not damaging our teeth too much. Flossing and brushing twice daily is also a must, regular visits to the dentist also helps you stay aware of any problems your teeth may have. So, if you’re in control of that, there’s no need to worry. 

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If your teeth are okay and you just want to smile a little brighter, then come on into our Parramatta or Penrith salon, or make a booking with us and get a whiter and brighter smile via the link here.

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We’re located in Parramatta and Penrith. In Parramatta, we are on Macquarie St (inside Fitness First) walking distance from the station and Westfield Parramatta. While in Penrith, we are on Woodriff St, along a little arcade behind Allen Place Car Park. We are open 6 days a week, and we take after work bookings.

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Photo by Craig Adderley: https://www.pexels.com/photo/selective-focus-photography-of-red-coca-cola-can-lot-on-box-1561147/