4 Foods That Are Particularly Hard On Your Teeth

When it comes to your oral health, you’ve got to think about more than just brushing and flossing every day. To truly have the healthiest teeth and mouth possible, you also have to be cognizant of what you’re eating and drinking on a regular basis.

While some foods are great for your dental health, others can easily cause damage that could require emergency dental services. So to help ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, here are four foods that are particularly hard on your teeth. 

Ice

Although you might love having ice in your drinks, chewing on ice is a bad habit that could be harming the enamel on your teeth.

According to MouthHealthy.org, chewing on ice can make your teeth very vulnerable to damage. Additionally, any problems areas could become more painful if exposed to the intense cold of an ice cube. So if you have the habit of chewing on ice, try to break that habit as soon as possible. 

Carbonated Sodas

While most people know that drinking soda isn’t necessarily good for their bodies, what many people don’t realize is just how harmful these beverages can be for their teeth,

Peggy Pletcher, a contributor to Healthline.com, shares that studies have shown carbonated sodas to be just as harmful to teeth as drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine. Because of the acid in these beverages and the amount of sugar they contain, it’s easy to see how carbonated sodas can cause a lot of damage to your smile, both from a structural standpoint and a visual standpoint.

Sticky or Crunchy Foods

Some foods, in general, aren’t great for your teeth because of how they can adhere to the surface and be difficult to clean off. Sticky and crunchy foods fall into this category.

According to MouthHealthy.org, sticky foods like candy and dried fruit are known to stick to your teeth for longer than almost any other food. And as for crunchy foods like chips, it’s very easy for them to get trapped in the divets of the teeth and in between teeth for extended periods of time, which can result in a lot of damage. 

Anything With A Lot of Acid

As was mentioned above, acid is a real obstacle when it comes to keeping your teeth healthy. Anything that’s particularly acidic can eat away at the enamel of your teeth and sacrifice the integrity of your pearly whites. 

Because of this, Amanda Gardner, a contributor to Health.com, recommends that you stay away from things like citrus fruits, pickle juice, and other acidic foods. And if you are going to eat them, make sure you wash your mouth out well when you’re done. 

To help your teeth stay healthy and strong, be extra careful when eating or drinking anything mentioned above.