Surprising Foods That Sabotage Your Dental Health

Cavities are nature’s way of telling you you’ve been neglecting your dental health. These small pits form in your teeth when the acid from bacterial plaque eats away at your enamel over time. While it’s obvious that candy or sweet drinks can cause cavities, some foods are much harder to sus out.

If you want to learn more about cavities and how foods impact your dental health, continue reading. Below are examples of four unassuming products that may give you a toothache.

1. Alcoholic Beverages

This may be a surprise to many, but alcohol is one of the worst offenders for tooth troubles. While some alcohols like beer contain starches which are known cavity-causing agents, it’s dehydration that makes it worse.

Alcohol dries out your mouth, lessening saliva which acts as your mouth’s natural defense system against plaque. Not only does saliva help break up the film on your teeth, but it also fights bacteria and acid!

2. Raisins

For such a small thing, raisins can cause a big problem. The concept of raisins is great at first glance. They’re dried grapes—healthy, full of vitamins, fiber, and chemicals that aid digestion. However, their sugar content is on par with a can of soda.

To make matters worse, raisins are a very sticky treat and can easily get caught on or between teeth. When this happens, the sugar stays against the enamel of your tooth, slowly releasing acid as plaque forms. If you’re not diligent, raisins can cause some very sneaky cavities.

3. Cough Syrup

This medicinal tincture combines the worst of both worlds. Not only does cough syrup have enough sugar to give diabetics pause, but many also contain alcohol. This causes a double whammy of sugary syrup across your teeth and a halt in saliva production.

4. Saltine Crackers

The sneakiest has been saved for last. Feast your eyes on the most purposefully bland food in existence, the saltine cracker. It’s little more than a processed square of starch and salt. This is why it’s a go-to favorite for people with upset stomachs.

However, the only thing that plaque bacteria love more than sugar is processed starch. This makes saltines a smorgasbord for dental plaque, causing them to produce acid to erode your enamel.

It’s important to pay attention to what you put in your mouth when it comes to your dental health. Sometimes it’s easy to see what will cause problems and what won’t, but now you’ll be aware of these less-obvious threats. If you do get a cavity or want to make sure you avoid them, make an appointment with your dentist. They’ll be able to set your teeth straight.

About the Author

Dr. David Rosenfeld is a highly skilled and educated dentist who loves treating patients as much as he loves learning. He graduated from the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in New York City. Dr. Rosenfeld then completed advanced training in the fields of cosmetic dentistry, oral pathology, and pediatric dentistry. To this day he continues his education and gives his time to charitable causes like the “Give a Smile” program. To schedule an appointment at Rosenfeld Dental Associates, call (678) 879-3006 or visit the website to learn more.