It is an evident fact that you’re what you eat, which can be seen straight through your teeth. Various foods and beverages can lead to plaque and bring severe damage to your teeth. Plaque is a bacteria-filled sticky film that causes tooth decay and gum disease. When you eat a sugary snack or meal, the sugars lead the bacteria to release acids that attack the tooth’s enamel. After the enamel breaks down, cavities pop up in your mouth.

Here are five foods the can severely damage your teeth and gums: 

Sticky/Chewy Foods: An all-in villain when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene are foods that stick and stay attached to and between your teeth for a long time. The issue with these types of food is that they welcome numerous bacteria in your mouth and produce so much acid compared to usual. Try to limit sticky foods and clean your teeth by flossing as quickly as possible.

Citrus: Fruits like grapefruits, oranges and lemons are delicious as both fruits and juices and also contain vitamin C. However, their acid element can undermine enamel, making your teeth more endangered to decay. Merely squeezing a lemon or lime into your water can add acid to a drink. Moreover, acid from citrus leads to irritation to a sore mouth.

Bread: Most of you won’t think twice before grabbing packs of bread from the supermarket. Though when you chew bread, your saliva melts down the starches into sugar and turns them into a gummy paste substance. Bread even sticks to the crevices between teeth that result in cavities. Opt for whole wheat slices of bread when you’re craving some carbs as these include less added sugar.

Carbonated Drinks: It is not an unknown fact that soda and pop bring bad news for your dental health even if they come with the term ‘diet’ on the bottle. According to health experts, drinking a large amount of carbonated drinks can damage your teeth on the same level as using methamphetamine. Dark color soda discolors or stains your teeth that lead to diminishing your pearly-white smile. Remember; never brush your teeth instantly after drinking a beverage as it could trigger the decay.

Potato Chips: Who doesn’t like to munch on fatty yet satisfying potato chips? Of course, everyone loves to have a bag of chips on their side while watching a movie. Alas, they’re loaded with starch which transforms into sugar that can be trapped in and between your teeth and feed the bacteria present in your mouth. As you don’t eat only a single chip, the acid creation from the chips lasts for a while. Make sure to floss properly to remove the trapped particles from your teeth.

For sure, prevention is the best solution for your oral hygiene. Though fillings, crowns, and expert whitening can make your teeth shiner and healthier, it’s vital to avoid such cavities and stain by brushing and flossing your teeth properly. Limit these food items and follow the tips given by your dentist to keep your teeth in good condition.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.