Surprising Foods That Harm Your Teeth

We all know sweets, red wine and coffee are no friends to teeth, but these seemingly harmless offenders are almost as bad…

Fruit Teas
A study conducted by the University of Bristol School of Dental Science found that flavoured fruit teas, such as berry or lemon, can be three times more damaging to teeth than orange juice. Stick with green or mint.

White Wine
White wine is so acidic, it’s actually one of the worst offenders. And because we tend to linger over a glass (or three) means the mouth stays acidic for a prolonged period. Eating bread and sipping water in between glasses will help reduce acidity and neutralise the mouth.

Popcorn
The thin membrane that surrounds the kernel often gets caught between teeth and especially if wedged deep among molars, can go unnoticed. If you don’t floss, it can start to decay and cause cavities, abscesses and even tooth loss.

Juicing
The high acid content and low pH of juiced fruit erodes enamel, making teeth more porous, and then any dark pigments within the juice, from foods like berries, peppers or beets, can latch onto the weakened enamel and stain it. Make sure juices are more veg than fruit, and wait half an hour after drinking before brushing, so the tooth surface has time to remineralise.

Salad Dressings
Dressings made with vinegars are highly acidic, and many are mixed with a sweeter liquid like honey or wine, which only ups the sugar content. Drink lots of water after your salad to help counter the acidity.

Grazing
A grain of sugar in your mouth causes 20 minutes of acidity, which if you’re constantly grazing on sugary substances will accelerate enamel erosion. So it’s better to consume treats in one sitting than spacing them out over a few hours.

This article originally appeared in the April issue of IMAGE magazine. The May issue is on shelves now.

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