5 Foods that are Surprisingly Bad for your Teeth

Everybody knows that too much candy is bad for your teeth. But there’s more than just these sweet treats to look out for when it comes to keeping a healthy mouth. There are foods out there that people eat daily without even knowing what they could do to harm their oral health potentially. Here are 5 generally ‘healthy’ foods to watch out for.

• White Bread

White bread is generally a household staple that most Americans consume daily. While this complex carbohydrate is usually considered healthy as it gives the body energy, consuming too much can result in cavities. When you chew bread, your teeth break down the starches into sugar. Bread contains 5 grams of sugar, on average every 100 grams. The more sugar you add to your diet, the more prone you are to cavities.

• Citrus Fruit

Fruits are often considered healthy, so it is unexpected that fruit, particularly citrus food, could harm oral health. Fruits high in citruses such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are rich in vitamin C, helping boost immunity. However, these fruits’ acidity may erode enamel, which is the outer protective layer of teeth.

• Vinegar

While used mostly as an ingredient in cooking, vinegar is also widely used as a healthy dressing for most salads. Much like citrus fruits, too much vinegar can also erode teeth enamel, making teeth more sensitive and prone to tooth decay.

• Dried Fruits

Dried fruits are not something that the everyday consumer goes for, but they are the healthy substitute that people often make in the place of candy. This includes dried mango, apricots, raisins, and many more. Unfortunately, while they have added health value compared to conventional candy, they still have somewhat of the same effect on oral health. Apart from still possessing sugar in them, they also have a sticky texture similar to gummies. When they stick to your teeth, the sugar content in them makes you prone to tooth decay and cavities. 

• Black Tea

Tea is full of health benefits, which is why it is patronized often by people who don’t opt for that cup of coffee in the morning. Black tea is a popular choice as it has antioxidant properties, may lower bad cholesterol, reduce high blood pressure, and improve weight loss. However, much like coffee, black tea can cause staining on teeth, leading to discoloration. 

Contrary to that, a study from the University of Illinois shows that black tea can be good for oral health as it fights off cavity-causing bacteria.

Black tea and the others are still undoubtedly healthy and come with their own set of benefits. The key takeaway is that too much of a good thing can be bad. Consume these foods moderately to live a holistically healthy lifestyle.

Also Read: 5 Gross Consequences of Having a Dirty Tongue