We all know that cakes, biscuits and sweets are bad for our teeth, but what about those so-called healthy alternatives? Here are five foods that you may not realise will damage your teeth:

1. Popcorn: popcorn is an incredibly popular snack at the moment, and there are many different brands and flavours to choose from. Often marketed as a healthy lower-calorie alternative to crisps, popcorn may contain less fat and sugar, but it’s still bad for your teeth. Popcorn gets stuck in your teeth, which increases the risk of plaque formation and the kernels can also cause damage to your teeth. They’re very hard, and if you accidentally bite down on one, you could break or chip a tooth.
2. Fruit juice: if you’re drinking fruit juice, you may think that you’re making a really healthy choice. In some cases, juices can be really good for you, as they’re packed with vitamins. However, if you buy juices from a café or supermarket, they often contain a lot of added sugar. They’re also very acidic, which puts your enamel at risk. If you are buying juice, check the sugar content, and dilute each serving.
3. Salad dressing: salad is one of the champions of the healthy eating world, but once you start adding things to it, it can soon become less healthy. Salad dressings may contain sugar and salt, and some can also have high fat content; however, the main problem for your teeth is the acidity. Acids erode the enamel, which increases your risk of decay and sensitivity.
4. Smoothies: fruit smoothies are supposed to be brilliant for you, but this may not always be the case. Like juices, if you buy ready-made smoothies, they’re often laden with sugar. If you love smoothies, try making them at home instead.
5. Dried fruit: dried fruit is often thought of a healthy snack option, but it can be misleading. Fruits contain natural sugars, but often, more sugar is added to bags of dried fruit. Eating whole, natural pieces of fruit is usually much better for you.

If you have any questions about tooth-friendly foods, or you’re worried that your diet may be letting your dental health down, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our dentists will be happy to answer questions, and give you some healthy eating tips.

Tags: Acids, dental health, Sugar, tooth decay

This entry was posted on Friday, March 24th, 2017 at 1:00 pm and is filed under Dentistry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.