Why You Should Avoid Certain Acidic Foods

With the summer months in full swing, more of us are spending time with friends and family and enjoying meals outside together. Often times, these party foods are higher in acidity, and if they make their way onto your dinner plate, do you know the effects they can have on your teeth? Some of the foods we generally consider acidic, such as grapefruit, oranges, limes, lemons, and other citrus fruits, are healthy, and when consumed with water, it is less likely for them to harm the teeth’s enamel.

However, there are other foods out there that are considered acidic that we may not think about. These foods include:

- Pickles

- Tomato products like ketchup, pasta sauce, hot sauce, and salsa

- Coffee

- Alcohol, especially wine

Why are Acidic Foods Bad?

When the acids present in food come in contact with teeth, it is possible for the acid to wear away the tooth’s enamel. When this protective layer of enamel is damaged or worn away, it can cause the teeth to become more sensitive and for the tooth’s surface to become discolored. While brushing the teeth after eating is generally a good idea, it is important not to immediately brush after eating highly acidic foods – acid softens the enamel and brushing too soon after consuming acidic foods makes it possible for the enamel to be brushed away.

How Can I Lessen Enamel Erosion?

To help lessen enamel erosion, patients should eat acidic foods with foods that have a higher pH, which means they are lower in acid. These types of foods include cheese, nuts, mangoes, oatmeal, apples, bananas, vegetables, eggs, whole grains, and brown rice. Lean meats and fish are also very low in acids. These types of foods further help to protect the teeth’s enamel by neutralizing the acids in other foods. Additionally, these types of foods provide extra phosphorous and calcium that help provide minerals back into the teeth.

Preventing erosion from acidic foods can also be done by visiting your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning – this plays an important role in maintaining proper oral health and also helps identify enamel erosion early on before it becomes a serious issue. Additionally, your dental professional is able to make dietary recommendations to help stop enamel erosion that has already begun. Aside from dental visits, make sure to keep the mouth moist by drinking enough water.

If you or a loved one is in need of a visit to the dentist, you can sign up for our New Hampshire Family Discount Dental Plan and save as much as 20 percent on your dental bills. For more information, please click here. We also offer Employee Discount Dental Plans for business owners offering dental to their employees.

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