Candy, sweets, and sugary treats are notorious for causing cavities. The processed sugars they contain fuel plaque and bacteria in your mouth, which in turn creates an acid that burns through the enamel on your teeth if not brushed away. However, even if you have a candy-free diet, you could still end up with tooth decay! Here are five surprising foods and drinks you may not have known can cause cavities.
1.) Raisins
Raisins and the grapes they come from are packed with beneficial vitamins and nutrients. However, the difference between the two is the amount of sugar. Since raisins have been dehydrated and dried out, they contain a much higher concentration of sugar. What’s more, raisins are sticky and can stubbornly cling to your teeth.
2.) Saltine Crackers
They may seem innocent, but saltine crackers are quite bad for your teeth! They contain processed starches and carbohydrates, which feed the bacteria in your mouth just as effectively as sugar. In addition, when they’re chewed and crushed into a fine powder, they find their way into tiny crevices and hard-to-clean areas of your teeth.
3.) Fruit Juice
Like raisins, fruit juice is brimming with healthy elements. However, are you drinking real fruit juice? Many products are labeled misleadingly and actually contain far more sugars and sweeteners than fruit juice. Even 100% fruit juice can be dangerously high in natural sugar content. In fact, a glass of grape juice, apple juice or orange juice contains just as much sugar as a can of soda!
4.) Alcoholic Beverages
Many people wouldn’t suspect that alcoholic drinks increase their risk of cavities, but they do in a number of ways. Most alcoholic beverages are acidic, which weakens the enamel and leaves it vulnerable to decay. Additionally, many alcoholic drinks are mixed with sweeteners, sugary juices and other cavity-causing mixers. To top it all off, alcohol causes dry mouth, which is the perfect place for cavity-causing bacteria to accumulate and grow quickly.
5.) Diet Soda
Unfortunately, you’re not doing your teeth any favors by choosing a diet soda over the non-diet variety. While a diet soda may have less sugar, it is just as acidic! The more you drink diet soda, the more of your tooth enamel is damaged and the more likely you are to develop tooth decay.
While tooth decay is very common, it’s not unavoidable! Knowing which foods and drinks can put you at a higher risk can go a long way in helping you keep your smile healthy and cavity-free.
About the Practice
At University Dental Group, we always do everything we can to prevent cavities in Worcester and the surrounding communities before they develop. Our team proudly uses thorough preventive care that’s personalized for each patient to help ensure their teeth and gums stay healthy. However, we are also proud to offer conservative and long-lasting restorations and repairs, like tooth-colored fillings, to make sure your smile looks and feels its best for a lifetime. If you think you may have a cavity, don’t hesitate to contact us online or at (508) 753-1911.