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Citrus fruits -

Citrus fruits are good for you in countless ways with respect to vitamins and minerals. However, they are harsh of your teeth. Grapefruit and lemon juice are particularly acidic. The acid erodes your tooth enamel and increases your risk of cavities.

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Chewy candy -

These colorful and delicious bites are terrible for your dental health. When you chew them, little bits get stuck in between your teeth. Your mouth bacteria burns the sugar to make acid, thus causing your teeth to decay.

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Hard candy -

Even though hard candy doesn't get stuck in your teeth, there are still huge problems. Firstly, they are flavored with citric acid. Secondly, it takes longer to eat them than other candies, and so the bacteria have more time to create acid. In addition, if your chomp down on hard candy, you might chip your teeth!

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Pickles -

Pickles are usually soaked in vinegar to give them their signature flavor. But researchers have found that eating just one pickle a day increases your chances of tooth wear by an astounding 85%. Snacking on them every now and again is okay, but don't make a habit of it.

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Soda -

You may think only sugary drinks are bad for your teeth. However, even sugar-free sodas are harmful because they contain citric and phosphoric acid. If you do really need your soda, then it is much better to drink it during a meal. The food helps to neutralize the acid.

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Sports drinks -

Sports drinks are just sugary sodas in disguise. Drinks like Red Bull are very high in sugar. Even drinks that seem healthy such as vitamin water are still very high in sugar and consequently can lead to tooth decay if consumed regularly.

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Crackers -

Although they make a great accompaniment for cheese, these little crackers can harm your teeth. The refined carbohydrates in the crackers turn into sugar in your mouth and can get stuck between your teeth. The body turns the sugar into cavity-inducing acid. The best way to combat it is to floss daily.

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Coffee -

Coffee is a terrible drink for your teeth color. Over time, coffee can stain your teeth brown even more than tobacco might. To keep your pearly whites white, stay away from coffee.

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Tea -

Black tea has a high tannin content. This means that it is more effective at staining your teeth. Surprisingly, researchers have found that tea is even more staining than coffee. You can drink low-tannin teas such as green and white tea to reduce the staining effects.

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Dried fruit -

You may think you are eating something very healthy, however, dried fruit has an extremely high sugar content. Furthermore, the chewy texture means that bits might get lodged in your teeth. Overall, eating dried fruit can increase the risk of cavities.

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Juice -

If you are going to drink juice, try to avoid bottled juice from the store. It usually has a high sugar content and not that many nutrients. Even if you make juice at home, it is still quite acidic and sugary, and so it's not great for your teeth.

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Tomato sauce -

While tomatoes are delicious and for the most part healthy, they are also very acidic. Sauce covers the inside of the mouth and encourages the body to produce acid, leading to tooth erosion. You don't need to stop eating it, but instead just limit your consumption.

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Apple cider vinegar -

Apple cider vinegar is famous for its appetite-suppressing properties. However, it also erodes the enamel in your mouth very effectively. If you drink it, always dilute it with water and rinse your mouth afterward.

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Flavored chips -

Chips themselves are not great for your teeth because they get stuck in your gums, and can even cut them if they are hard. The flavorings on chips also often contain a lot of sugar, and so can cause tooth decay. 

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Alcohol -

There are few things as bad as alcohol for your teeth. The sugar in alcohol erodes your enamel, while the alcohol dries out your mouth. This means you can't wash the sugar away effectively. Moreover, if the drink is carbonated, the acid in the drink with further damage your teeth.

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Sugar-free gum -

Moving on to the positives! When your chew gum, your mouth starts to produce saliva. Saliva is the natural soap for your teeth. If the gum doesn't contain sugar, then the saliva flow will clean your teeth well.

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Water -

Water also helps to wash harmful substances from your teeth. A lot of water also contains fluoride that naturally protects your teeth from erosion.

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Dairy -

Dairy is beneficial for your teeth because it contains calcium. Calcium strengthens bones and tooth enamel. In addition, some dairy contains the protein casein, which stabilizes and repairs tooth enamel.

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High-fiber foods -

Humans were made to chew on things not only for digestive purposes but also to clean their teeth naturally. Eating high-fiber foods will help wipe the harmful substances from your teeth.

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Strawberries -

Strawberries are little wonderberries. When you eat a strawberry, the malic acid inside it naturally whitens your teeth. You can even make a restorative teeth mask by mixing strawberries and baking soda. Leave the mixture on your teeth for five minutes, then floss.

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Leafy greens -

Not only do leafy greens clean your teeth, but they also contain a lot of healthy minerals and vitamins that will maintain your gum health. Try and sneak them into your sandwiches and salads.

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Carrots and celery -

Crunchy vegetables are really great for your teeth. The chomping motion cleans your teeth on the surface. Meanwhile, the increased chewing stimulates saliva production that cleans your teeth on a deeper level.

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Apple and pears -

Both apples and pears can neutralize the acids in your mouth. In addition, their crunchiness helps to clean the surface layer of your teeth. Although they may have some sugars in them, one a day will do no harm.

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Nuts -

Nuts are amazing for your teeth because they contain so many nutrients including phosphorus and calcium. Almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews are the best nuts for fighting against harmful bacteria.

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Fatty fish -

Fatty fish contain phosphorus. Phosphorus is crucial for rebuilding and protecting your tooth enamel.

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Cranberries and raisins -

Although most dried fruit is not good for your teeth, raisins and cranberries are the exceptions. They contain oleanolic acid, a substance that helps stop oral bacteria. Eating these little treats might save you from tooth decay and cavities.

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Sweet potatoes -

Sweet potatoes are specifically good for your gums. They contain vitamin A, which helps to keep the mucous membranes and soft tissue of the gums healthy.

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Garlic and onions -

They may not be the best thing for your breath, but raw onions and garlic can work wonders for your mouth. They both fight against oral bacteria and can help prevent gum disease and cavities.

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Whole grains -

Usually, whole grain products are a little harder to chew and so stimulate saliva production. In addition, complex carbohydrates are harder for bacteria to digest. Therefore, less acid is produced in your mouth when you eat them, and so your risk of cavities is lower.

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Shiitake mushrooms -

Researchers have discovered that shiitake mushrooms contain a polysaccharide called lentinan. Lentinan helps to prevent bacteria growth in the mouth.

Sources: (University of Illinois at Chicago) (Health.com)(Reader's Digest)

See also: Arm yourself to the teeth with these oral tips

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