To figure out which meal, snack, drink, or dessert is bad for dental health, there are two things to consider, says Dr. Apoena de Aguiar Ribeiro, a pediatric dentist and microbiologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told the New York Times. The microbiologist examines the oral microbiome and its influence on tooth decay. The following applies to them: It is about the composition and the quality of the food or drink.
More than 700 species of bacteria live in our mouths – some beneficial, some harmful. The harmful bacteria break down sugars in food and drink and turn them into acids, which over time can strip teeth of important minerals and lead to tooth decay.
Of course, sugary foods are particularly bad for your teeth. In particular, those made from sucrose, or table sugar, are particularly bad for your teeth because harmful bacteria thrive on them, according to Dr. de Aguiar Ribeiro. Sucrose is commonly found in many processed foods and sugary beverages, such as candies, pastries, fruit juice concentrates, and sodas.
Sugary drinks wash the teeth with sticky and sugary solutions and are acidic on top of that. “Our teeth start chipping when the acidity in the mouth drops below pH 5.5,” says Dr. Rocio Quinonez, professor of pediatric dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told the New York Times. “Sodas tend to have a pH of around 3 to 4.”
You can find out which foods and drinks you should only enjoy in moderation in the photo series.