Starchy foods create a feeding ground for plaque. Foods such as breads, potato chips, crackers, french fries, pretzels and pasta tend to stay in your mouth longer since they stick to your teeth. Dried fruit such as raisins can also stick to your teeth like starchy foods. To remove starchy foods from your teeth, floss or rinse your mouth out with water. Taking the time to remove the food sticking to your teeth can cut down on plaque buildup.
When you consume sugary foods, sugar remains on your teeth till it is removed. Plaque feeds off sugar and produces acids that contribute to tooth decay. Candy, cookies, cakes, brownies, sodas and sweet tea all contain high amounts of sugar. When you sip on soda, sweet tea and even sport drinks, a constant supply of sugar is entering your mouth. If you do decide to consume sugary foods and drinks, drink a cup of water to rinse some of the sugar off of your teeth or brush your teeth afterward.
Acidic Foods
Acidic foods eat away the enamel that protects your teeth. Over time, the erosion of enamel leaves your teeth at risk for tooth decay. Tomatoes and citrus fruits are nutritious, but they contain acid. Eat tomatoes and citrus fruits with other foods to reduce harm to your teeth. Be cautious of adding lemons or limes to your water for flavor since they are acidic foods. Diet soda is not safe for your teeth either. While regular soda provides a supply of sugar to your teeth, both regular and diet soda contain acids.
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