We take pride in providing our clients with information that can potentially prevent harm to their teeth. A big part of that is certain foods that can damage enamel. Tooth enamel is the hard substance found in the shell of each tooth and is the part of the tooth that’s visible to the eye. Enamel is considered the hardest substance in the human body; it’s even harder than your bones. However, it can dissolve or decay when exposed to acid and a build-up of bacteria.
Acidic foods are the greatest source of enamel damage. Here are 4 worst foods for enamel loss.
Soft drinks– No surprise there, soft drinks seem to be a bad choice all around. Not only do soft drinks contain a lot of sugar, but they are also high in acidity. Citrus-flavored bubbly beverages are more dangerous than cola.
Fruit– Fruit is of course a good choice, in moderation. Oranges, lemons, and limes are the most acidic, but berries contain acid also. Just eat fruit with a meal to help minimize acid effects.
Sour candy– SweeTarts, Sour Patch Kids, Sour Gummy Worms. Candy manufacturers add more acids to sour candy to give them that sour factor.
Vinegar– Vinegar turns up in lots of places; salad dressings, sauces, potato chips, pickles and more. Unfortunately, each one could spell trouble for tooth enamel so it’s always best to keep an eye out for those specific foods.