10 Foods That Are Bad for Your Teeth and Gums

You likely know that some foods are worse for your oral health than others, but you may be surprised to learn that so-called junk foods aren’t the only culprits. Certain foods and drinks — healthy and not-so-healthy — can leave your teeth and gums vulnerable to decay and erosion.¹

Continue reading to learn more about which foods to limit or stay away from to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

1. Alcohol

Alcohol dries the mouth and weakens the immune system, increasing the chances of gum disease.² Alcohol drinkers are also more likely to have more gum bleeding, more plaque and larger gum pockets than nondrinkers.² Drinking too much alcohol is also a predisposing factor for gum cancer.³

2. Carbonated Beverages

Soda and other carbonated beverages — even those that are sugar-free — contain citric acid, phosphoric acid and carbonic acid. These lower the mouth’s pH level, which can cause enamel erosion.⁴

3. Caffeinated Beverages

The caffeine in coffee, tea and soda is acidic and can cause erosion. Caffeine has also been linked to bruxism (teeth grinding), which can damage teeth. Additionally, tannins, which are responsible for coffee’s dark color, can stain teeth.⁵

4. Citrus and Other Acidic Foods

Citrus fruits and drinks and other acidic foods, like tomatoes, can irritate your gums and contribute to gum disease.⁶

5. Hard Candies

Hard candies can break or chip teeth. Unless they are sugar-free, hard candies can also lead to tooth decay and cavities.⁷

6. Ice

It may be just water, which is good for you, but chewing on ice can chip or break teeth.⁷

7. Potato Chips

Potato chips and other starchy foods stick to your teeth and can get trapped in between teeth and cause plaque buildup if left too long.⁷

8. Popcorn

Popcorn kernels can slip down between the teeth and gums and become impacted. Untreated food impaction can lead to gum problems, including abscesses.⁸

9. Sticky Foods, Including Dried Fruit

Sticky foods can damage teeth because they stay on your teeth longer. These can include healthy sticky foods, too, like dried fruits.⁷

10. Sugary Foods and Beverages

Plaque bacteria on teeth use the sugar in foods and drinks like candy, soda and sports drinks to produce acid that destroys tooth enamel.⁷

Dental Problems Caused by Certain Foods

Certain foods and beverages are more likely than others to cause dental problems. For instance, every time we eat or drink, we expose our teeth to bacteria. The bacteria then convert sugars and carbohydrates to acids that begin to erode our tooth enamel. Some foods contain ingredients that stick to our teeth and promote bacteria growth, which can lead to tooth decay.⁹

There are also foods that cause more immediate and obvious damage to our teeth, like hard foods that can chip and break teeth.⁷

The following are some of the dental problems that can be caused by consuming certain foods and drinks:⁹

• Bleeding gums¹⁰
• Cavities
• Chipped or broken teeth⁷
• Discoloration
• Dry mouth¹¹
• Enamel erosion
• Gum cancer³
• Infections
• Irritation⁶
• Plaque buildup⁷
• Swollen, inflamed gums¹²
• Tooth loss
• Tooth sensitivity

Tips to Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums

These foods and drinks may be bad for your dental health, but that doesn’t mean you need to avoid them altogether. Doing the following can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums:

• Brush at least twice a day and floss daily to help reduce plaque buildup.
• Don’t chew on ice.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.¹³
• Limit sugar, starches, caffeine and alcohol.
• Rinse, brush and/or floss after consuming the foods listed above to help remove acid and food debris.
• Use care when eating hard or very crunchy foods.
• Use dental probiotics to help promote the growth of good oral bacteria and prevent the growth of bad bacteria.
• Visit your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings and if you have food stuck between your teeth that’s difficult to remove.

These foods have the potential to cause teeth and gum problems, but if enjoyed in moderation with a little extra care and regular dentist visits, you should be able to maintain your oral health.

Dental Financing With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn’t cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.