Are your teeth under attack without you knowing it? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four U.S. adults aged 20 to 64 has at least one untreated cavity, and nearly half of all adults suffer from gum disease. Your diet could be playing a major role in this silent dental decline.
Oral diseases now impact nearly 3.7 billion people worldwide. A key culprit? The food we eat — and more specifically, its pH level.
“Anything below seven is going to be more acidic, which can be harmful,” explains Dr. David Sutton, a dentist at Dapper Dental.
Take citrus fruits, for example. Their high acidity can gradually wear down tooth enamel.
“They slowly cause enamel to wear down or flatten, which leads to sensitivity and makes teeth more prone to fractures and decay,” Sutton warns.
Starchy snacks like crackers, chips, and cookies are also problematic.
“They settle into the pits of your back teeth and are hard to clean out,” Sutton told Ivanhoe.
And if you’re one of the 90% of people who love chewing on ice, it’s time to stop. Despite being harder than bone, tooth enamel can still crack.
“Ice is one of the top causes of tooth fractures,” Sutton adds.
This risk isn’t just theoretical — an NIH study found that 75% of adults have at least one crack in their teeth.
So how can you protect your smile?
1. Use an electric toothbrush:
“They clean much more effectively than manual brushing,” Sutton recommends.
2. Floss before you brush:
This order helps remove debris so your brushing is more effective.
3. Skip rinsing after brushing:
Many dentists suggest not rinsing at all, to allow fluoride from toothpaste to keep working longer.
Bonus tip: Love popcorn? Americans consume 15 billion quarts each year, but be cautious. Popcorn contains lactic acid and those hard unpopped kernels can easily crack a tooth.
In short, what you eat—and how you treat your teeth afterward—can either protect or endanger your dental health. So next time you reach for a snack, consider whether it might be one of your teeth’s secret enemies.
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