You’ve probably heard quite a bit about how excessive sugar consumption can be detrimental to your oral health, but you should be aware of a less-discussed enemy of your teeth: acidic foods.
Let’s take a look at some of those foods, how they can damage your smile, and how you can protect your teeth against them without giving them up entirely.
Acid and Enamel Erosion
Your tooth enamel may be the strongest substance in your body, but it’s not invincible. The hard protective layer of your teeth can slowly be eroded by the things you eat. Sugar erodes it by feeding the bacteria in your mouth, which then produce plaque and acid. Acidic foods just cut right to the chase.
Eating a single acidic snack will not damage your teeth irreparably, but consistently eating acidic foods can cause your mouth to become acidic in general, preventing your teeth from strengthening your enamel through the calcium in your saliva.
Acidic Foods to Watch Out for
Below are some of the most common acidic foods:
- Fruits like apples and blueberries
- Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges
- Tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato juice
- Vinegar
- Soda
- Fruit juice
As you can see, many acidic foods aren’t even unhealthy in a larger sense. Still, you should be careful about how much of them you consume.
Protecting Your Teeth Against Acidic Foods
We don’t blame you if you’re unwilling to forego any acidic food in favor of a perpetually healthy smile. But the good news is that you don’t have to.
All you need to do is moderate your consumption, rinse your mouth with water after eating anything acidic, use a straw for acidic drinks, and make sure to stay on top of your oral hygiene routine, preferably with fluoride toothpaste.
Protect Your Teeth with Regular Dental Exams
Regularly seeing your dentist is crucial to protecting your oral health and preserving your beautiful smile. Call David W. Piper, DMD, at (727) 548-7100 today to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Piper is a General and Cosmetic Dentist who has proudly served Pinellas County since 1993. Both he and his team of professionals provide high quality, gentle dental care in a relaxed, personalized, and caring environment. Treating patients like family sets his practice apart from others.
