02 Jul Foods to Avoid if You Have Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity is not only painful, it also can impact your daily life when it gets bad. At Hicks Dental Group, we want to make sure that your smile is not only glowing, but that your teeth are pain-free. Managing your sensitive teeth is important to your wellbeing, so we have compiled a list of foods to avoid for sensitive teeth.
What Foods Are Bad for Sensitive Teeth?
Although a number of factors can cause tooth sensitivity, one thing you can control is what you eat. There are certain foods that will aggravate your teeth and could even make the sensitivity worse. Knowing which foods are bad for sensitive teeth can prevent a lot of unnecessary pain.
1: Sugar
We all like sweet things from time to time, but sugar can cause pain in sensitive teeth. Eating an excessive amount of sugary foods, or foods that contain high amounts of sugar per serving could be painful. Sugar also wears away your tooth enamel, causing even more issues.
- Candy: There is a reason that dentists and health experts always warn against overconsumption of candy. Chewy candies can get stuck on your teeth, prolonging discomfort and sensitivity. Try swapping your candy for berries, which are lower in sugar and acid and less likely to bother your teeth.
- Soda: Soda has long been an enemy to your teeth. Not only is it full of sugar, it is also acidic, causing further tooth sensitivity. If you enjoy bubbly drinks, reach for sparkling water instead of soda and your teeth will thank you.
2: Acid
Foods with high acid content upset the pH balance of your mouth, and can irritate already sensitive teeth. Aside from soda, which is both acidic and sugary, there are a few more acidic foods to avoid for sensitive teeth.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are one of the most popular ingredients in cooking from around the world. From Mexican to Italian to Indian food, there are numerous dishes that include tomatoes as a main ingredient. However, tomatoes are highly acidic. While avoiding tomatoes may be challenging, your sensitive teeth will fare better without them.
- Citrus: Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits have a high acid content. For many people this triggers tooth sensitivity. Avoiding citrus can be difficult at times, especially in the summer when many of the things we eat and drink have citrus added to them.
3: Extreme Temperatures
We all love a hot bowl of soup on a cold day, or a refreshing frozen drink on a hot beach. Very hot and very cold foods can be some of the most painful triggers for sensitive teeth.
- Hot Drinks: Many of us love to start our day with a cup of steaming hot coffee or tea. However, for people with tooth sensitivity, hot drinks can cause extreme pain and discomfort.
- Ice Cream: Yes, even this favorite summer treat can be bad for sensitive teeth. The ice crystals in ice cream can even cause pain for people who don’t have sensitive teeth. If you want a tooth-friendly summertime treat, try a yogurt with berries instead.
Taking Care of Sensitive Teeth
Knowing which foods are bad for sensitive teeth and avoiding foods that cause tooth sensitivity can prevent a lot of pain. However, so does taking care of your teeth with good daily oral hygiene and regular dentist visits.
If you have questions about your dental health, or are interested in how to best care for your sensitive teeth, the staff at Hicks Dental Group is here for you. To schedule an appointment, you can contact us by calling 928-445-6030 or texting 928-487-4583.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/28/21). Photo by Joshua Coleman on Unsplash