由 home-healthhaven 
Remember those foods you ate as a kid that your parents swore would rot your teeth by the time you turned twenty? Well, as an adult, you know that wasn’t entirely true, but you also don’t want to end up like Great-Grandma Betty who had to get dentures at sixty because of her poor health habits.
It’s important to take care of your teeth while you still can. Let’s explore the five worst foods for your teeth. You might be surprised by what’s on the list.
1. **Colored Drinks**
Colored drinks can really mess up your teeth. These include:
– Sports Drinks (like Gatorade and Powerade)
– Coffee
– Tea
– Wine (both white and red)
– Darkly Pigmented Juices
– Alcoholic Beverages
These drinks can stain your teeth and cause decay, regardless of the type or amount you consume.
2. **Gum**
Gum can speed up tooth decay, especially if it has a lot of sugar.
– **Bubble Gum**: Your parents were right about that bright pink bubble gum. The sugar feeds bacteria in your mouth, which ultimately harms your teeth.
– **Sugar-Free Gum**: Not as bad as the sugary kind, but it’s still not great for your teeth.
– **Xylitol Gum**: Gums like Trident, Xylitol, and Miradent can actually be good for your teeth. They help fight cavities and produce saliva that protects enamel.
3. **Acidic Foods**
Fruits with high acid content can be harmful to your teeth, especially citrus fruits which also contain sugar. Consuming lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, and tomatoes can lead to enamel erosion over time.
4. **Saltine Crackers**
Surprised? Many people are. Saltine crackers are often given to kids as a healthy snack, but they’re actually worse than candy. These highly processed snacks can increase the risk of cavities because of genetically engineered ingredients and their gummy texture when chewed, which can get stuck between teeth and create bacteria.
5. **Candy**
You probably expected this. High-sugar candies can have multiple negative effects on your teeth:
– Staining
– High sugar content
– Gummy residues
– Stuck between teeth
– Tooth erosion
Candy, especially the sticky variety, can contribute to various health problems, including cavities and more serious conditions.
In general, it’s wise to be mindful of what you eat and drink. These are just a few examples of foods and drinks that you should avoid to protect your dental health. There are plenty more out there that can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and even contribute to obesity and diabetes.