What Causes Damage to Your Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel is the strong, outer layer of your teeth that is made up of different minerals. Tooth decay occurs when acids in your food react with the minerals in your enamel. You can avoid damage and preserve your smile by avoiding foods that can harm your enamel.
Surprising Food and Drink that can harm your Teeth
White Wine
Don’t let its color mislead you. Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and other white wines are very acidic, and this particular acid will slowly damage the enamel of your teeth leaving it vulnerable to stains from other foods and sensitivity to pain. If you can’t give up drinking, pair it with cheese which helps alleviate some of the damage caused by the acids.
Potato Chips
Potato chips may satisfy your salty craving, but this type of snack can cause a lot of issues in your mouth. When you chew chips, they eventually break down into smaller pieces that can get stuck in between the spaces of the teeth. They are made of carbohydrates which are converted to simple sugar by your saliva making them as potentially harmful as candy.
Ice
Many people like to chew on ice and it seems like a harmless habit since it keeps you cool and it has no calories. But chewing ice is dangerous to your teeth. The habit puts a lot of stress on your teeth, causing wear and can even cause a fracture.
Prevention of Enamel Damage
There are many ways to avoid tooth discoloration and decay of your enamel. The best thing to do is restrict the amount of high-acid foods which includes sugary juices and soda in your diet. Another way is to brush and floss frequently after every meal. If you don’t have time to brush, wash your mouth with water or rinse with a mouthwash to help get rid of the leftover food particles. Damage to your enamel is common but is preventable when you know which kind of foods to avoid. Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to avoid potential discoloration and decay that can happen to your teeth.