You’re likely aware of some of the more common cavity-causing foods and drinks, but the list is probably longer than you may think, and some of the items on it may come as a surprise to you. Below, learn more about what foods and drinks cause cavities before a cavity causes you a whole lot of dental distress.
What Causes Cavities?
Your teeth are equipped with an incredibly strong outer layer known as enamel. In fact, enamel is the hardest substance in your entire body,1 but that doesn’t mean it’s invulnerable to damage. When you eat or drink things that are sugary or acidic, the increased acidity within your mouth can slowly wear away at your enamel, and once it has worn down enough, tooth decay can set in.
Issues that a Cavity Causes
Once a cavity has formed, it will not go away on its own, and only a dental filling will be able to prevent it from spreading. Below are some of the oral health issues that a simple cavity can cause:
- Toothaches
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Painful chewing
- Difficulty speaking
- Dental abscesses
- Dental infections
- Tooth loss
If you’re able to spot a cavity in your tooth, reach out to your dentist as soon as possible. Treatment is generally simple, but if you wait long enough, things can become far more complicated.
Foods and Drinks You May Not Realize Cause Cavities
It’s common knowledge that candy and other foods that have high sugar content are the most likely culprits when it comes to tooth decay, but there are some cavity-causing foods and drinks that may come as more of a shock to you, such as:
Cavity Causes: Fruit Juice
While they may contain vitamins, minerals, and other essentials, fruit juices are also absolutely loaded with sugar. Some fruit juices even have added sugars, which make the risk of tooth decay even higher when you drink them frequently. Be careful to moderate your fruit juice intake, and rinse with water after drinking.
Cavity Causes: Diet Sodas
With diet sodas, your mindset might be one of “no sugar, no problem,” and though they may not have any cavity-causing sugars in them, sugar isn’t the only thing that can lead to enamel erosion. These drinks are just as acidic as their sugar-filled counterparts, meaning drinking them can easily wear away at your teeth and cause decay.
Cavity Causes: Bread and Crackers
Carbohydrates are the main component of bread and crackers, and they break down into sugars, which means that the bacteria in your mouth will be feasting on these foods whenever you are, and the byproduct of that feast is an enamel-eroding acid that can lead to cavities in a hurry.
Cavity Causes: Dried Fruit
Much like fruit juice, dried fruit does have its healthy components (in fact, it’s far healthier for you than fruit juice, as it retains much of the fiber, vitamins, and minerals that can be lost when fruit juice is created), but the fruit’s sugars are not lost. In fact, they are condensed, which means things like raisins and dried apricots pose a significant risk of tooth decay.
Cavity Causes: Alcoholic Beverages
There are many reasons to moderate your alcohol consumption, but the safety of your teeth is one you may not have even realized. Even if you’re not mixing your alcohol with sugary drinks, these drinks can still wear away at your tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay over time, thanks to their high levels of acidity.
Treat Tooth Decay at Albion Family Dental
If you’re suffering from the issues that cavities cause, reach out to Albion Family Dental before they cause even more issues than they already have. 585-589-9044
Sources:
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24798-tooth-enamel