Avoid These 5 Foods to Keep Your Smile Healthy

One of the very first things people notice when being introduced to each other is their teeth. Incorporating that knowledge with the uneasiness felt when going in for a check-up and being unsure of the result, it’s crystal clear that caring for our teeth is of high importance. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but did you know that crunchy foods such as apples, carrots and more can lead to already-weak teeth cracking? There are several foods out there that may be causing your teeth and gums damage, and below you’ll find a list of the top five (in no particular order) that we suggest avoiding when you can:

1. Apples (wait, there’s a compromise!)

As stated earlier, for those who have teeth that are weak from poor dental hygiene already, it’s best to steer clear of anything overly crunchy. This does, however, refer to chomping into a whole apple though – prevent cracks by cutting them up into small pieces, saving your teeth the job of doing it.

2. Sticky/Chewy Lollies

While you may be thinking that this is an obvious one, it might not be for reasons you’re thinking. Sure, it can lead to teeth being loosened, but the main issue with them is that because of their super-stickiness, they stick around for a while. In and around your teeth, bacteria will feast on the remnants of the sugary treat, burning it to create acid which in turn dissolves tooth enamel. End result? Cavities.

3. Citrus Fruit

Another fruit? Unfortunately, yes. Oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and a lot more need to be consumed at a minimum. Why? They’re high in acidity, which causes the breakdown of the enamel of your teeth. The trick here is to rinse your mouth well with water after you’ve eaten/drunk this type of fruit and its juice.

4. Soft Drink

Okay, so it’s technically not a food, per se, but this really does need a mention. Not only is the sugar that’s found in most soft drinks bad, but there’s also acids that have been shown to do even more damage than the sugar. So if you think sugar-free options put you in the clear, think again!

5. Pickles

The process of pickling requires some type of acid, which is for the most part vinegar. Unfortunately, for those of you out there that are lovers of snacking on pickles, you probably need to tone it down a bit. Eating them irregularly should be fine, but if you’re partaking more than once per day, there’s a dramatic increase in potential wearing down of your teeth.