It’s common knowledge that sugary, sticky foods like caramels, taffy, and other candies are bad for your teeth. But not all tooth-destroying foods are as obvious. According to consumer adviser for the American Dental Association Matthew Messina, any food that is excessively sugary, sticky, starchy, or hard can cause damage to your teeth.
Here’s a list of lesser-known foods that can be dangerous for your dental health.
1. Popcorn
Popcorn kernels are hard enough that biting down on one can cause teeth to crack. Although this food is a tasty, calorie-smart snack, many dentists find that popcorn can surprisingly cause a lot of problems. Unpopped kernels pose a particular risk to people who already have fillings, and if you get a piece of popcorn stuck between your teeth, it can stay there until it causes irritation.
2. Citrus Fruits
While lemons, grapefruits, and oranges have tons of health benefits and are full of vitamin C – the citric acid in them can erode the enamel of your teeth, making them more prone to decay(1).
A simple way to mitigate the effects of citric acid is to increase the amount of saliva present in your mouth. You can do so by eating cheese or fibrous veggies (celery or carrots). And if you’re drinking your citrus fruits, you can use a straw.