There are lots of foods that can chip your teeth or damage dental work in your mouth when you eat them. What are some of these problem foods? Well, Dr. Lindsey Saterfiel is here to warn you alllll about some of those bad guys when it comes to chipped teeth, loose fillings, and broken crowns. And here at The Dental Boutique, we love seeing you, but not when you’re in pain!!
Highly Acidic Foods
When it comes to your teeth, acidic foods could be a no-go! Why is that? Whether contained in foods or converted from sugars by your mouth’s bacteria, acids can erode your teeth’s enamel, (yikes!), causing cavities and that icky tooth decay. A weaken enamel can also lead to a variety of problems ranging from sensitivity issues to discolored teeth. So we want to be proactive in protecting these guys!
Examples of a few high acidic foods: lemons, pickles, tomatoes, pineapples.
Examples of great low acidic foods: bananas, avocados, broccoli, lean meat, whole grains, eggs, cheese, nuts, vegetables.
Ice
On a hot summer day, especially a southern summer day, it’s great to fill a tall glass with ice and pour in some soda, lemonade, or tea to help cool down. And yes, you’re totally right that you’re assuming that sugary drinks are bad for your teeth (they are!), but they’re bad in a don’t-drink-it-every-day kind of thing. And actually, lemonade and soda are also quite acidic, which isn’t good for your tooth enamel, either. BUT what we’re focusing on in this paragraph is it’s that cold ice that can actually chip your teeth if you chew it! Other hard foods can damage your teeth as well, so be careful!
Popcorn
Lots of people enjoy buttered popcorn while sitting in a cool, air-conditioned movie theater, (we’re SO for that, let’s be honest), but unpopped kernels can definitely ruin the fun. You know the situation. You’re hanging out, grabbing a handful of that buttery goodness and then BOOM, you bit down on a kernel. So yes, they’re hard enough to chip a tooth if you crunch down on one of them by accident or on purpose…but why would you be doing that on purpose…..we’ll be having a chit chat if that’s a thing. However, popcorn actually poses a double threat. The thin shell that covers the kernel can actually get stuck between your teeth or between your tooth and gum, giving bacteria a source of food and promoting tooth decay. And it does NOT feel good when it’s stuck in between,
Candy
Okay, pretty much every type of candy can damage your teeth. Let’s just face it. Hard candies can chip teeth if you bite on them or chew them up; if you suck on them and let them dissolve slowly, you’re basically giving your teeth (and the bacteria in your mouth) a sugar bath. Chewy candies, like caramels or taffy, can stick to your teeth, increasing the risk of cavities, or stick to fillings and crowns, loosening them. And you DO NOT want a Saturday morning emergency dental visit to interrupt your weekend plans.
But sour candies are probably the most damaging of all because they combine three dangers to your teeth all in one. They’re loaded with sugar and they stick to your teeth, but the sour flavor actually comes from acids, which eat away at tooth enamel.
So, noticing a theme by now. We’re not trying to be a Debbie-Downer, but hard foods can damage your teeth. And we’re not trying to be fun suckers and keep you away from enjoying the sorts of treats you love. However, if you’re eating something that could chip your teeth, maybe be a little cautious. Just remember to drink some water to rinse out sugars and acids after indulging. Oh, and always brush your teeth and floss after you’ve eaten any of the foods on this list. Prettttty please?!
If you ever have any questions, please give us a call at 337.231.3000 or schedule an appointment below to talk teeth with us!
Until next time,
