La
Plata
When you imagine things that cause cavities, your first thought is likely sugary stuff. That’s only natural – sweets, treats, and most candies are infamous sources of tooth decay! Even so, it isn’t just sugar-filled junk that wears down teeth; many foods you wouldn’t expect can rot your enamel. Your La Plata dentist has even stopped by to tell you about them in detail. To that end, here are four surprising cavity-causing foods you should go easy on.
Citrus Fruits
Most folks see citrus fruits as a healthy snack or side dish. However, this food group can be bad for your teeth at times.
The problem is that citrus fruits – oranges, grapefruits, lemons, etc. – are highly acidic. Their juices can easily erode the enamel on your teeth, causing your smile to weaken. They’re even more likely to decay your grin when you consume them a lot or have citrus drinks. With that said, these fruits still benefit you in small amounts; they provide you with vitamin C and other key nutrients.
Saltine Crackers
Saltine crackers may strike you as the opposite of a sugary, tooth-rotting food. Regardless, they can still hurt your teeth if you aren’t careful.
Though not super sweet, saltine crackers are made of processed carbs and starches. These ingredients stimulate oral bacteria to erode your tooth enamel over time. Worse yet, the crackers become a fine powder when chewed and often stick to your smile. That means they can leave tooth-decaying starches on your grin for hours.
Pickles
Maybe you think a pickle wouldn’t do you any harm. Well, you’d be wrong; this veggie is another surprising cause of cavities.
Similar to citrus fruits, pickles have rather high acid levels. The vinegar and other acidic materials that pickle cucumbers can erode your smile’s enamel. Some types of pickles also have a decent amount of sugar, worsening your cavity risk. Key examples of these are sweet pickles and bread-and-butter pickles.
Pasta Sauce
A good pasta sauce can enhance a lunch or dinner, but it won’t favor your smile. This liquid could decay your teeth in some cases.
The issue is that pasta sauces can be sugary, acidic, or both. In other words, they have plenty of ways to wear down your enamel. A sugar-filled sauce will attract bacteria that eat away at your teeth, while an acidic one will erode your grin more directly.
To counter surprising cavity-causing foods, please stick to a mouth-healthy diet. Your dental provider can even suggest meals to include in it.
About the Practice
La Plata Dental is based in La Plata, MD. Led by Drs. Hochman and Betaharon, our practice offers wide-ranging, personalized, and comfortable dentistry. You can trust our team to provide effective smile care while also keeping you calm and at ease. That way, your path to thriving teeth and gums will be a smooth and pleasant one! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (240)-349-2439.