By: Dr. Nicole G. Nalbandian DDS, MS
December 2, 2024
We hear it all the time in the dental office ‘But Doc, I don’t eat candy and I don’t drink soda, how am I still getting cavities?!’
For as long as I can remember, candy and cavities have been synonymous. We know it to be fact that sugary foods and drinks like soda, chocolate, caramel, gummy bears, and all those delicious snacks you pick up at the movie theater, lead to cavities.
Many of my more ‘health conscious’ patients that limit their intake of soda and candy are usually most in shock when they find that have newly formed cavities.
How is this possible? What is causing them to continue developing new cavities throughout adulthood?
Let me explain…
CAVITIES 101: Cavities happen when sugary foods interact with bacteria in your mouth resulting in the production of acid that results in tooth decay.
Based on this fact, it is easy to understand why sugar/soda = cavities. Here are some of the lesser-known foods that also put you at a high risk of getting cavities:
1. Fruits:
Since we were young we have heard people tell us ‘eat your fruits’ or ‘stop eating candy, have a piece of fruit instead.’ Well…I hate to break it to you… but fruits can be as bad for your teeth as candy. Sticky and sugary fruit like bananas can stick to your teeth and the sugars in the fruit feed the bacteria to produce acid and cause you to develop cavities. Other fruit, like oranges and blueberries, are not only sugary but also acidic, which feed into the formation of cavities as well.
2. Diet soda:
Wait, what? Diet soda can’t cause cavities, it doesn’t have any sugar… Wrong. Diet soda may not have sugar but it is still highly acidic and this acidity can be a key contributor in the development of cavities.
3. Seltzer water (flavored or unflavored):
Just like diet soda, unsweetened seltzer water is highly acidic and can be a strong driver of the development of cavities.
4. Bread/Crackers:
You may think that snacking on a salty cracker in comparison to an Oreo cookie is completely harmless. Unfortunately, this is not the case. When starchy foods like crackers and bread sit on our teeth, enzymes in our saliva break down those starches into simple sugars which then directly feed bacteria to release acidic byproducts and cause cavities.
5. Coffee:
“But doc, I don’t put any sugar in my coffee so there’s no way it can cause cavities.” Wong. Coffee (sugar added or not) is inherently acidic and, as we know from the effects of sugar free soda, this acidity will eventually lead to cavities. Of course, adding loads of sugar to your coffee only adds fuel to the fire, but nonetheless, even a simple cup of black coffee will predispose you to developing cavities.
So now that I have ruined your day and told you that all your favorite foods are going to ruin your teeth…here are some things you can do to ‘have your cake and eat it too’ (aka keep eating the foods you love without ruining your teeth).
What can you do:
- Drink water immediately after eating these foods
- Rinse with a fluoride-based (alcohol free) mouthwash after eating these foods
- Limit the duration of snacking periods.
The longer you expose your teeth to these cavity-causing foods the higher your risk will be
Snack responsibly!
Dr. Nicole G. Nalbandian
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DR. NICOLE G. NALBANDIAN
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