1. Sugar, candies, chocolates & other sources of added sugar.
Lollipops, mints, and other hard candies expose teeth to sugar over a long period of time. Most of us like to chew on hard candies as well, which is something that can cause chips in teeth or even cracks, leaving a surface for plaque to buildup.
Candy is loaded with sugar, which will combine with bacteria in your mouth to create acids and contribute to serious tooth decay.
Sticky and chewy candies can also be a problem as they will get stuck in the crevices and spaces between your teeth. This prolonged exposure can also contribute to the formation of cavities and tooth decay.
2. Soda and other sweetened and citric beverages.
Although a very popular beverage among everyone is soda but it can cause serious problems for the health of your teeth. The sugar in the drink sits on your teeth and erodes tooth enamel.
This erosion can cause tooth decay and cavities and the chances are higher the more soda you drink, the more cavities you can have.
Soda also contains acidic byproducts, in addition to the sugars, that can wear away and soften tooth enamel, leaving them vulnerable to plaque buildup and erosion.
Citrus is loaded with citric acid, which is the number one cause of enamel erosion and tooth decay. Acids found in fruits and fruit juices can cause cavities through erosion of your teeth. Different studies have shown that the acids found in fruit juices can be very harmful to your teeth.
3. Refined starchy foods.
Like potato chips, bread and crackers are bad for your teeth. These products are often lodged in between your teeth, allowing the food particles to linger and give plaque-causing bacteria something to hold on to. The carbohydrates break down into simple sugars once you've eaten them, and these sugars will hang around your mouth after the starchy snack has been broken down.
4. Alcoholic beverages.
Consumption of alcohol is not particularly healthy, however we forget and don't realize that a side effect of consuming alcohol is dried mouth.
When your mouth is dry, you lack the necessary saliva to maintain adequate oral health. Saliva helps to rinse away leftover particles and prevents food build-up.
5. Excessively sticky or hard food.
Frequently eating hard food leads to increase risk of cracked, chipped, or broken teeth as well as loosening existing crowns. Additionally, further problems like tooth sensitivity and compromised fillings can arise from regularly chewing hard food.
Sticky and chewy snacks can often get jammed in between your teeth making it difficult for saliva to wash it away, this results in a sugar-loving bacterium that can eat away at your teeth.