What we eat plays a major role in the health of our teeth, as certain foods, such as soda and candy, can damage tooth enamel and eventually lead to decay. We learn about the effects of these foods at a young age and are taught to consume them sparingly to help prevent cavities and keep ourselves healthy.

However, certain foods and habits that are not as widely discussed can also have a negative impact on the enamel of your teeth. While soda is considered highly damaging, essentially any canned beverage, whether carbonated or not, is also extremely damaging to your teeth. Some foods that may not seems as toxic, such as ice cream, pickles and yogurt, have low acidic values that can harm the teeth if consumed too often. Even fruits and vegetables can lead to tooth decay.

It’s practically impossible to avoid all of the different foods that can lead to tooth decay, but fortunately there are ways to still maintain oral health. Eating a balanced diet ensures that your teeth will receive the nutrients they need, and sweets are acceptable as long as they are only consumed sporadically. When eating sugary foods, it is best to do so in a timely manner, as consuming it over an extended period of time also prolongs your teeth’s exposure to the sugar.

Carbohydrates can be damaging as well, so it is best to eat them as part of a meal instead of alone. The other types of food in your meal will neutralize the acid in the mouth and help to prevent decay. Drinking plenty of water helps keep the mouth moist and helps consume food better as well.

In addition to these preventive techniques, it is important for everyone to brush their teeth twice a day and to see their dentist on a regular basis to stop decay from building up and to treat any cavities as soon as they are detected.