By Dr. Fung
It’s common knowledge that natural foods are better for you than sugary, processed foods. However, sometimes even foods that seem healthy can cause problems with your teeth. First, let’s review the decay process. Bacteria eat sugar, causing acid production. This acid dissolves tooth structure, and if there is enough continued acid production, eventually a cavity is created. Every time food enters the mouth, the bacteria become active for a period of time; therefore the frequency of eating affects bacterial activity. Nibbling on a cupcake over several hours results in more potential for decay because of a higher frequency of exposure than would eating the whole thing at once, creating one exposure. Remember this bacterial-acid decay process as we look at some dentally destructive foods:
Acidic Food : This includes pickles and citrus fruits like lemons and grapefruit. The acid content of these foods is strong enough to erode or dissolve tooth structure if they are eaten frequently. Erosion of the front teeth can be seen on people who like to suck on lemons. Erosion of the back teeth can happen when people like to chew on or “mull” citrus fruit pulp for extended periods of time.
Sticky Food : Most people can guess that this category includes chewy candy like taffy, but seemingly healthy snacks like dried fruit can also be a problem. Anything that can stick to the teeth and stick around for a long time increases the time frame for bacterial activity directly on the tooth surface, thereby increasing the potential for decay.
Hard Food : Chewing on anything hard has the potential to crack or break a tooth. Some patients have had the misfortune of breaking a tooth after accidentally biting on something hard, like a bone. Imagine the potential for breakage when there is repeated chewing on hard things like ice or hard candy. When a tooth breaks, a small piece may chip off, but there is always the potential for a catastrophic break that makes the tooth unrestorable. Sports drinks, Energy drinks, and
Soda : All of these drinks are acidic and sugary, which is a double whammy to the teeth: acid dissolves and weakens the tooth surface, making the teeth more vulnerable to the increased acid produced by the bacteria in the presence of high sugar. Even sugar-free drinks can cause trouble because their acidity can cause erosion.
Refined Carbohydrates : This group includes crackers, chips, and similar foods that tend to form a paste when chewed and mixed with saliva. This paste can stick to the teeth for an extended time, and because of its high carb content, it converts to sugar quickly and increases the potential for bacterial acid exposure.
Some Medications : There are both over-the-counter and prescribed medications that can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is caused by decreased saliva production. Not only does saliva keep the oral tissues moist and comfortable, it protects teeth from decay. How this works is not well understood, but people with dry mouth are at a dramatically higher risk of tooth decay. Often it is not possible to stop taking a medication that causes dry mouth, but keeping tissues moist with frequent water sipping, avoiding excessive sugar, and thorough brushing and flossing should prevent cavities.
While this list includes foods that should be avoided, it would be fine to eat most of these foods in moderation. As always, thoughtful dietary choices and an effective and consistent hygiene routine – getting plaque-free every 24 hours to stop the destruction from bacterial acid – should keep your teeth happy and healthy.