
Most people are familiar with common foods that can crack teeth or even cut gum tissue, including popcorn kernels, ice, and hard candies. However, protecting your smile goes further than avoiding these foods.
The category of harmful foods is larger than you might think, and includes some common food items you didn’t know could hurt your teeth. What are some major offenders when it comes to foods that can damage your smile?
Olive Pits
Olives are in a category of foods called drupes, which include any food that has a stone-like seed in its center. Other examples of drupes include cherries, peaches, plums, and nectarines.
It comes as no surprise that olive pits, and indeed other types of drupe pits, can seriously damage teeth. While some olives come pitted, others are left with their pit intact, and unsuspecting eaters can chomp down on the seed without realizing it.
The pits in your olives can actually damage the connective tissue of your teeth, giving you what’s called a bruised tooth, which can lead to a toothache [1].
Caramels
Caramels have long been known as an offender of oral health. Their sticky texture and their sugar content is the culprit—not only can this substance stick to teeth, but contribute to tooth decay as well.
Whether you’re enjoying a caramel candy or a caramel apple, it’s smart to exercise caution when consuming this treat. Any type of sticky food can stay on your teeth longer than other types of foods, increasing the chances that it’ll cause damage to your tooth enamel [2].
In addition, caramel can even loosen fillings and other types of dental restorations. It’s best to chew softer caramel products, and keep your consumption of this food to a minimum!
Frozen Food
Did you know that certain types of frozen food can be damaging to your teeth? This is especially true for foods that are designed to be consumed frozen, such as candy or ice cream bars (frozen caramel can be particularly bad!).
If you enjoy consuming frozen treats, it’s best to wait until they soften up at least somewhat, and to help minimize the effects of sugar on your teeth, always drink water during and after eating these items.
Breads
As one of the most popular foods around the world, bread is a surprising item that can hurt your teeth. Harder breads such as baguettes can be particularly crispy, and can damage teeth and gums, especially teeth that have an existing dental restoration.
However, soft breads aren’t in the clear either—some softer breads can stick to teeth, leading bacteria to attack tooth enamel [3]. The healthiest breads for your teeth include whole wheat and sprouted kinds.
Have you ever damaged your teeth from any of these foods? Exercise caution when enjoying drupes, and always eat sugary or frozen treats in moderation. And don’t forget—breads are culprits too when it comes to foods that can hurt your smile!
Sources:
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/bruised-tooth
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition/food-tips/9-foods-that-damage-your-
3. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4062
