What you eat and drink affects your teeth every day. Brushing, cleaning between teeth and fluoride remain essential, and diet works together with them. Here is how food choices can help or harm your smile.
How tooth decay starts
Bacteria in plaque feed on sugars and starches and produce acid. The acid softens the surface of the tooth, and over time this can create a cavity. Saliva and fluoride help repair the early damage, but they need time between acid attacks.
It is how often, not only how much
Each time you eat or drink something sugary or starchy, your teeth face an acid attack that lasts a while. Sipping a sweet drink or snacking on candy all day keeps the mouth in this acid state. A dessert with a meal is generally easier on your teeth than constant grazing.
Drinks that deserve attention
- Soda, sports drinks and energy drinks contain sugar, acid or both.
- Fruit juice has natural sugar and acid.
- Sweetened coffee and tea add sugar that you sip for a long time.
- Sparkling and flavored waters can be acidic, so drink them with meals rather than all day.
Water is the best everyday choice, especially if your tap water contains fluoride.
Foods that can be harder on teeth
- Sticky candies, dried fruit and caramel cling to teeth
- Chips and crackers break down into starches that linger in the grooves
- Very acidic foods such as citrus and pickles, when eaten often
Foods and habits that help
- Water rinses away food and keeps saliva flowing.
- Cheese, plain yogurt and milk provide calcium and can help balance acid.
- Crunchy vegetables and fruits such as celery and apples stimulate saliva.
- Sugar-free gum after a meal can stimulate saliva.
- Eating sweets with a meal instead of by themselves.
After an acidic drink, rinsing with water is a good idea. Many dentists suggest waiting before you brush, because enamel is temporarily softer.
Brushing still matters
Diet is only part of the picture. You still need to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth. See ten tips from your dentist and hygienist.
Children and diet
Frequent sweet drinks, including juice in a bottle or sippy cup, are a common cause of cavities in young children. Read preventing cavities in children.
Talk to your dentist
If you get cavities often even though you brush and floss, your diet, dry mouth or other factors may be involved. Your dentist can help you find out. Learn about fillings and our cleaning and exam visits.
This article is general information and does not replace an exam or personal advice from your dentist.
Have questions about your own teeth? Request an appointment or call (747) 339-7016.
