The Worst Food for Your Teeth Is NOT SUGAR

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Protect Your Teeth from Acid Erosion

1. Avoid Fruit Juices and Soda

• Fruit juices like apple juice and orange juice are five times worse for your teeth than soda due to their high sugar content.
• Diet soda can also be harmful to teeth as it may contain acids that can erode tooth enamel.

2. Limit Consumption of Candy and Sugary Snacks

• Candies, especially those that are sticky like gummy bears, can stick to your teeth and increase bacterial fermentation, leading to more acid production.
• Powdered starches, such as modified food starch or modified corn starch found in junk foods, can act like sugar and feed bacteria in the mouth.

3. Beware of Liquid Sugars and High Fructose Corn Syrup

• Liquid sugars, like high fructose corn syrup, can bathe the teeth in pure sugar, promoting acid production by bacteria in the mouth.

4. Watch Out for Acids in Sodas and Foods

• Phosphoric acid, found in sodas, can also contribute to tooth erosion by leaching calcium from the teeth.
• Citric acid, commonly found in fruit juices and sodas, can be particularly harmful to tooth enamel.

5. Maintain Oral Hygiene Practices

• After consuming any acidic or sugary food or drink, rinse your mouth with water to help remove residue and reduce the risk of acid erosion.
• Consider using water to gargle and swish in your mouth to clean your teeth after consuming acidic substances like apple cider vinegar.

6. Be Mindful of pH Levels

• Aim to keep your mouth's pH slightly neutral or alkaline to prevent demineralization of teeth.
• If the pH drops below 5.5, it can lead to the loss of minerals, including calcium, from your teeth.

7. Consider Making Your Own Toothpaste

• To further protect your teeth, you can make your own toothpaste using a recipe recommended by Dr. Eric Berg DC.

By following these steps and being mindful of the foods and drinks that can harm your teeth, you can take proactive measures to protect your oral health and prevent acid erosion.