Everyone knows that candies and other sugary treats can ruin your teeth, but did you know that there are some seeming innocuous foods—some that are even good for you—that can do just as much damage?
Here are five culprits you probably didn’t realize were hurting your teeth, along with ways to prevent the damage:
1. Juicing
Though full of nutrients, juice also has a high sugar content, sometimes even more than smoothies or soft drinks. This sugar is consumed by the bacteria in our mouths and converted into acid that wears away enamel and can cause cavities.
The solution: Sip juice through a straw and make sure to wait at least 45 minutes post-drinking to brush your teeth so as not to damage your teeth enamel.
2. Chewable vitamins
Just like candy, the sticky, sugar-y makeup of chewable vitamins adheres to teeth and can cause cavities.
The solution: Take your vitamins in pill form.
3. Barbecue sauce
Barbecue sauce, which is chock full of sugar, can not only cause discoloration to your teeth, but also decay if you leave it in your mouth for long enough.
The solution: Before eating anything with barbecue sauce, swipe a very thin layer of petroleum jelly over your teeth to create a barrier between the sauce and your enamel. Also, brush your teeth right afterwards to remove any residue.
4. Dried fruit
This nutritious snack is packed with non-cellulose fiber, which traps sugar on and around teeth the way gummy candies (and chewable vitamins) do.
The solution: Brush and floss immediately after eating.
5. White wine
While it’s red wine that usually gets the bad rap for staining your teeth, the acid in white wine eats away at your enamel and leaves teeth more vulnerable to stains from other foods or drinks.
The solution: Eat cheese with your wine! The protein, calcium and phosphorus in cheese can help buffer the acid white wine leaves in your mouth. You could also gargle with water after drinking to flush away the acid.
Relevant source:
Curated from the Huffington Post
