What you eat truly affects your teeth, whether it’s positive or negative. By eating healthy foods, your smile can become fortified and stay healthy. On the other hand, having foods that contain high amounts of sugar can lead to cavities.
Acid wear on the enamel comes from a diet rich in acids and the effects of acidic wear can cause sensitivities and other oral ailments. To protect his patients, Dr. James Fondriest, shares acidic foods you should limit from your diet.
Acidic Foods
- Salad dressing. Store-bought salad dressings—especially a vinaigrette—have high levels of acidity. However, if you pair the dressing with veggies like lettuce and carrots, the effects of acid wear won’t impact your smile as much.
- Tomatoes. Though many fruits have some acidic qualities, tomatoes in particular cause acidic reactions to occur within the body. To neutralize their harshness, we recommend eating tomatoes with pasta or bread.
- Wine. Many doctors say a glass of red wine is quite good for the body. Yet, wine, in general, does two things: stains teeth and causes acidic reactions in the body. It’s best to drink a glass of water for every glass of wine you have.
- Carbonated beverages. Soft drinks don’t mix well with nice smiles. Soft drinks tend to weaken the enamel and make it more susceptible to tooth decay. Plus, having large amounts of sodas increases the acid production in your stomach. Therefore, take care to notice how many cans of soda you’re drinking each day.
- Lemon juice. Having lemon juice is good for your body, though, not for your teeth. While lemons do have high levels of acidity, they’re also known, known for their detoxing abilities. If you choose to have lemon juice, water it down a little.
- Sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners have made lovers of sugar rejoice in the lessened calorie version of sugar. For women, though, artificial sweeteners tend to increase acid production in their bodies.
What to do when you have to consume acidic foods or drinks
Drinking through a straw will reduce the amount of liquid that touches your teeth.
Visit Us for Comprehensive Dental Care
For more information on healthy foods for your teeth, visit Dr. Fondriest. He can discuss the long-term effects of acidic wear on your smile and tell you how to reverse its effects. To schedule an appointment, call (847) 234-0517. Also, visit our website for services, testimonials, and before-and-after gallery.
Our practice serves the Chicago metropolitan area including the North Shore and Northwest suburbs