Introduction: Soft drinks (like cola and juice), sports drinks, sour candies, energy drinks, fruits, and vinegar are very harmful to teeth.
Besides improper dental care habits, diet is also a major factor for healthy teeth. Recently, Yahoo! US published an article listing the 6 most damaging foods for teeth.
These 6 foods are soft drinks (like cola and juice), sports drinks, sour candies, energy drinks, fruits, and vinegar. The damage food does to teeth actually comes from the acidic substances they contain, which can dissolve tooth enamel, leading to cavities. These 6 foods are the most common acidic foods in daily life, so they require special attention.
Of course, foods like fruits and juices are rich in nutrients the body needs and are favored as healthy foods; sports and energy drinks are also popular among athletes. It's not necessary to avoid these foods entirely for the sake of dental health. Some simple tips can reduce the harm: eat fewer snacks between meals to reduce the chance of acid erosion; use a straw when drinking beverages to minimize direct contact with teeth; rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum after meals; drink high-calcium milk or eat cheese before or during a meal, as this helps strengthen tooth enamel; wait at least 30 minutes after consuming acidic foods or drinks before brushing; use fluoride toothpaste; and have regular dental cleanings from your dentist.