Teeth: foods and drinks that damage and erode enamel

Teeth: foods and drinks that damage and erode enamel

If consumed too often, some types of drinks can affect the health of our teeth, starting with the enamel. But it's not just the drinks that are being blamed.

Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous

Drinks that spoil your teeth. That's right, if consumed too often, some types of drinks can affect the health of our teeth, starting with the enamel. But it's not just the drinks that are being blamed.





Research from King's College London published in the British Dental Journal points the finger at general particularly acidic foods, as well as against the way of drinking certain acidic drinks.

According to the study, in fact, sipping acidic drinks such as fruit tea or sugary and light drinks (without sugar, but sweetened), or even liqueurs, can be associated with up to 11 times the risk of dental erosion, or the loss of hard substance of the teeth, and can ruin the enamel.

Specifically, from the research conducted on a sample of 300 people it emerged that an acid diet is to be associated in some individuals with erosive wear of the teeth. Increased frequency of dietary acid consumption, particularly between meals, appears to be the predominant risk factor. However, habitually drinking acidic drinks by sipping them slowly or shaking, rinsing, or holding them in your mouth before swallowing increases your risk.

Consumption of fruit flavors or vinegar, lemon, pickles, acid medications, or sugar-free sweets are also potential hidden risk factors, especially for patients at risk of tooth erosion progression. And, according to scholars, the risk of tooth erosion can be increased by more than 11 times.

How to counteract tooth erosion? There are 8 essential points:

  • consume less acidic drinks
  • avoid sipping them hot, but let them cool down and drink them immediately
  • use the straw (possibly in bioplastic or reusable steel, we add)
  • limit the consumption of these drinks with meals, because chewing favors the formation of saliva which counteracts their acidity
  • prefer plain water and unflavored tea
  • decrease your daily sugar intakes
  • wait 25-30 minutes before brushing your teeth, especially after consuming sweet and acidic foods

Foods to avoid

If your teeth are particularly prone to erosion, it is advisable to ban:



  • carbonated drinks
  • sugar and honey
  • fruit, fruit juices and pulps, especially if enriched with sucrose
  • packaged foods
  • fruit jam, sweet creams and spreadable chocolate
  • jellies and candies
  • very acidic foods such as citrus fruits, pineapple, vinegar, wine or tomatoes

It goes without saying, in any case, that only an expert will be able to assess the health of your teeth and that only undergoing professional teeth cleaning at least once a year will keep you away from many problems.



Read also:

  • 10 foods to choose for healthier teeth
  • 12 foods that help whiten teeth
  • Children's dental hygiene: here are the foods to avoid

Germana Carillo

Dental health: here are all the foods that promote erosion

add a comment of Teeth: foods and drinks that damage and erode enamel
Comment sent successfully! We will review it in the next few hours.