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Acidic Foods and Teeth – How One Can Affect the Other
Posted on May 29th, 2022
It is no secret that sugary foods and drinks are harmful to our teeth, and often, the number one culprit is soda, colas and similar drinks with carbonation and high sugar content. However, while these flavored drinks are considered significantly harmful to our dental health, as are candy and desserts, sugar is not the only thing that can damage our teeth.
Different kinds of acids are in all sorts of things, from your favorite soda (carbonation) or sports drink, to foods that are generally considered healthy like fruits, teas, and juices. Acidity levels can be measured using the pH scale; the lower the number on the scale, the more acidic a substance is.
Acid is destructive to tooth enamel, and while it would be impossible to cut out all acidic foods and drinks in order to protect your teeth, avoiding excess acid in your diet can help keep your smile healthy, and improve your dental health.
Acidic Foods to Avoid for Teeth
Highly acidic foods are foods that can cause cavities, and believe it or not, not all of these foods have a sweet flavor like candy and soda.
Many foods and drinks contain acids that slowly erode tooth enamel, even ones we consider healthy. Below is a list of some common foods and beverages most of us enjoy on a daily basis that can harm your teeth.
- Soda
- Sports drinks
- Coffee
- Juice (i.e. orange juice, apple juice, etc.)
- Citrus (i.e. limes, lemons, citrus flavoring, etc.)
- Other fruits like berries, tomatoes, etc.
- Tea
- Carbonated beverages (i.e. sparkling water, champagne, etc.)
- Candy (especially sour candy)
- Meats
- Foods with high salt content
- Alcohol
- Certain dairy products (i.e. sour cream, flavored yogurt, aged cheeses, and more)
- Eggs
This list is extensive, and this is certainly not every acidic food on the market. The problem is not so much that these foods must be avoided at all costs, but eating high amounts of these types of foods can be dangerous to your oral health.
When someone regularly indulges in a high acid diet, the acid buildup will slowly erode their tooth enamel. Even acid reflux has been known to cause long term damage to tooth enamel.
Tooth enamel is the protective outer layer of our teeth that prevents tooth decay. When tooth enamel is destroyed, it cannot be restored. This is why taking care of our enamel is so important to maintaining optimal oral health.
How to Neutralize Acid on Teeth
Ideally, reducing the number of acidic foods we eat is better than having to neutralize the acid in our mouths once we have consumed it. However, even foods that cause cavities can be hard to avoid, so it is always beneficial to know how to reduce the amount of acid your teeth come into contact with.
Rinsing your mouth out with water after a meal or brushing your teeth can help neutralize acids. If you brush your teeth, be sure to wait 30 minutes before doing so, since our teeth soften after we eat.
You can also chew sugar free gum to help stimulate saliva production. Additionally, eating plain yogurt that does not contain added sugar will help neutralize acids, as will drinking skim milk (milk with a high fat content can irritate acid reflux).
How to Neutralize Citric Acid on Teeth
In addition to the tips listed above, if you consume a lot of citric acid, such as what is found in orange juice, lemon-water, certain salad dressings, etc., you can reduce the amount of acid that lands on your teeth with the following tips:
- Use a straw to consume acidic beverages
- Finish beverages in one sitting, rather than sipping them over a long period of time
- Choose citrus fruits with a slightly lower acidity level, like orange, kumquat, or mandarin over lemon and lime
- Eat fruit that is extra ripe (acid levels decrease as fruit ripens)
Contact Windy City Family Dental for Reliable Dental Care
If you are searching for trusted dental care in Chicago for yourself or your family members, contact our dental office and schedule an appointment with Windy City Family Dental today! When it comes to providing the best dental care available, and offering the advice you need to take care of your dental health, such as how to prevent acid erosion on teeth, our team has your back!
