Avoid These Foods to Protect Your Teeth and Gums

Taking care of your teeth and gums is a big part of staying healthy. Brushing and flossing are very important, but the food you eat also matters.

Some foods can harm your teeth and gums if you’re not careful. These foods can cause cavities, gum problems and even make your breath smell bad. Fixing these issues can get expensive, so some people look into dental financing to help pay for care.

Let’s look at the top foods to avoid (or eat less of) to keep your smile strong and healthy:

Sticky candy

Candy that sticks to your teeth — like taffy, caramel or gummy bears — can be really bad for your mouth. These sweet treats stay on your teeth for a long time. The sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which then creates acid. That acid wears down the enamel (the hard outer layer of your teeth), leading to cavities.

If you do eat sticky candy, try to brush your teeth soon after or rinse your mouth with water.

Interestingly, the American Dental Association notes that chocolate tends to rinse off teeth more easily than other types of candy. Dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao may even offer some potential health benefits—making it a slightly better treat for your smile.

Carbonated drinks

Soda is full of sugar, and even diet soda contains acid. Both types can hurt your teeth. The acid in soda breaks down enamel, and the sugar helps bacteria grow.

Try switching to water or unsweetened drinks. If you still want soda now and then, drink it through a straw to keep it away from your teeth. When you sip soda throughout the day, your teeth get covered in acid again and again. Soda also dries out your mouth, so you have less saliva, and dark sodas can leave stains or discolor your teeth.

Keep in mind — don’t brush your teeth right after drinking soda because doing that can actually speed up tooth damage.

Coffee and tea

Drinking coffee or tea every day can stain your teeth. If you add sugar or flavored syrups, it’s even worse. Like soda, hot drinks can be sipped slowly, giving bacteria more time to grow.

Citrus fruits

Fruits like lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits are healthy in many ways but are also very acidic. That acid can wear down enamel and make your teeth more sensitive. If you have sores in your mouth, citrus fruits might also make them worse.

You don’t have to stop eating citrus fruits altogether. After eating them, just rinse your mouth with water.

Ice

Chewing ice might seem harmless, but biting on ice cubes can crack, chip or break your teeth. You can still enjoy a cold drink or suck on ice but don’t bite down on it.

Chips and crackers

Starchy snacks like chips and crackers might not seem sugary, but they turn into sugar once they’re in your mouth. These foods can get stuck between your teeth and gums, which gives bacteria time to grow.

Dried fruit

Dried fruits like raisins, apricots and cranberries are often seen as healthy snacks. But they are sticky and full of natural sugar. Just like candy, they cling to your teeth and feed bacteria.

Popcorn

Popcorn itself isn’t too bad for your teeth, but unpopped kernels can crack your teeth if you bite down on one. Also, popcorn husks can get stuck in your gums, causing pain and even infection if not removed.Chew carefully and floss after eating popcorn to avoid problems.

Keep your smile safe

Protecting your teeth and gums is easier when you’re mindful about what you eat. A healthy mouth helps you feel better, look better, and enjoy your favorite foods without pain or problems. Taking care of your teeth now can also help you avoid bigger dental problems in the future. That means fewer visits to the dentist for fillings, gum treatments or other costly procedures.

Your smile is one of the first things people notice, so keeping it bright and healthy is probably worth the effort. Start by checking what’s in your pantry and swapping out harmful snacks for tooth-friendly options.

The little things you do today could help your teeth stay strong for years to come.

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