Foods You May Be Surprised to Learn Can Cause Cavities

Raise your hand if you heard this from a parent growing up: “Don’t eat so much candy! It’ll rot your teeth!” Candy, desserts, soda – most everyone knows that these things should be enjoyed in moderation to prevent cavities. However, there are some other lesser-known treats that should be limited if you want to stay out of the dentist’s chair. Keep reading to learn about foods and drinks you may be surprised to find out can cause cavities.

Citrus Fruits

Fruit is supposed to be good for you, right? It is, but you must be careful when it comes to your oral health.

First of all, fruit contains sugar. Yes, natural sugar, but sugar nonetheless. Secondly, citrus fruits including…

• Oranges.
• Grapefruits.
• Lemons.
• Limes.

…are high in acid. Though tooth enamel is the hardest substance found in the human body, acid can eventually eat through this protective layer and contribute to tooth decay, possibly leading to cavities.

Diet Soda

At this point you may be thinking, “You’re kidding, right? Even the diet version of soda is bad for your teeth?” In short, it can be.

Even without sugar or high fructose corn syrup added, diet soda is still an acidic beverage. Many diet sodas also contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose, which can promote the growth of harmful bacteria in your mouth.

Pickles

Again: acid! Pickles are cucumbers submerged and stored in jars containing a brine made, in part, by vinegar, an acidic solution. In some cases, sugar is also added to the brine, especially in sweet or bread-and-butter pickles.

Mix acid with sugar and what do you have? The perfect storm for tooth decay!

Sports Drinks

These beverages are marketed towards the active and athletic, so they must promote a healthy lifestyle. Well, yes and no. The issue is that many of them contain added sugars, on top of an already acidic drink.

The news isn’t all bad, however. There are many more sugar-free options available on the market these days, and people who put great strain on their bodies can benefit from the electrolytes lost from sweating. But if it’s moderate physical activity you’re participating in, you’ll probably be okay with plain old water – a sugar- and acid-free hydrant!

Alcoholic Drinks

Like potato chips and saltine crackers, beer contains starch, which is broken down in the body as sugar. We’ve established where that can lead.

But the bigger issue with consuming alcohol is that it often leads to dry mouth. Saliva is important to oral health; it slows the growth of harmful bacteria, neutralizes acids, and provides a protective film over teeth. Saliva is mostly composed of water, and alcohol dehydrates the body.

If you frequently enjoy alcohol, have some water alongside it.

While limiting frequent consumption of these foods and drinks is a start, it’s no substitute for good oral hygiene habits. Brush and floss every day at home and seek preventive care from a dentist twice a year to keep your smile healthy.

About the Author

Dr. Sam Khanna followed dental school at the State University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine by completing a rigorous residency at Ellis Hospital in upstate New York. A detail-oriented dentist who stresses preventive and conservative treatment, she’s also had extensive training in areas including implants, clear aligners, and sleep dentistry. Dr. Khanna and our team at McKinney Family Dental look forward to serving you! Contact us online or by phone at (972) 540-0605.

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