Diet and dental health
A healthy, balanced diet plays an important role in keeping teeth and gums healthy. Some foods provide essential nutrients that support strong teeth, while others can increase the risk of tooth decay or enamel wear if eaten too often or between meals.
Sugary and acidic foods can affect teeth in different ways:
- Tooth decay happens when bacteria in dental plaque use sugars to produce acids that attack tooth enamel
- Dental erosion is caused by acids in foods and drinks directly wearing away the enamel
Some naturally acidic foods can still be part of a healthy diet because they also provide valuable nutrients. Understanding which foods are more or less acidic can help you balance meals and snacks.
Diet and dental health
A healthy, balanced diet plays an important role in keeping teeth and gums healthy. Some foods provide essential nutrients that support strong teeth, while others can increase the risk of tooth decay or enamel wear if eaten too often or between meals.
Sugary and acidic foods can affect teeth in different ways:
- Tooth decay happens when bacteria in dental plaque use sugars to produce acids that attack tooth enamel
- Dental erosion is caused by acids in foods and drinks directly wearing away the enamel
Some naturally acidic foods can still be part of a healthy diet because they also provide valuable nutrients. Understanding which foods are more or less acidic can help you balance meals and snacks.
Fizzy drinks
Fizzy drinks are often high in sugar and are also very acidic. Both factors can damage tooth enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay. These drinks are best avoided, or kept as an occasional treat and consumed with meals rather than between them.
Fizzy drinks
Fizzy drinks are often high in sugar and are also very acidic. Both factors can damage tooth enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay. These drinks are best avoided, or kept as an occasional treat and consumed with meals rather than between them.
Cheese
Hard cheeses are rich in calcium and phosphate, which help support strong teeth and bones. Cheese can also help neutralise acids in the mouth and stimulate saliva flow, which helps protect teeth after eating.
Cheese
Hard cheeses are rich in calcium and phosphate, which help support strong teeth and bones. Cheese can also help neutralise acids in the mouth and stimulate saliva flow, which helps protect teeth after eating.
Pineapple
Pineapple is one of the more acidic fruits, so it can contribute to enamel erosion if eaten frequently on its own. It also contains enzymes that help break down food debris. Enjoying pineapple as part of a meal, rather than as a standalone snack, helps reduce its impact on teeth.
Pineapple
Pineapple is one of the more acidic fruits, so it can contribute to enamel erosion if eaten frequently on its own. It also contains enzymes that help break down food debris. Enjoying pineapple as part of a meal, rather than as a standalone snack, helps reduce its impact on teeth.
Carrots
Crunchy, raw carrots can help stimulate saliva and gently clean the tooth surfaces as you chew. They are also a good source of vitamin A, which supports healthy enamel and gums. Carrots are a good choice for a tooth-friendly snack between meals.
Carrots
Crunchy, raw carrots can help stimulate saliva and gently clean the tooth surfaces as you chew. They are also a good source of vitamin A, which supports healthy enamel and gums. Carrots are a good choice for a tooth-friendly snack between meals.
Acidity of foods and drinks
Most acidic
Soft drinks, energy drinks, carbonated drinks, sweets, milk chocolate, citrus fruits, fruit juices, tomatoes
Moderately acidic
Corn, peaches, pineapple, cherries, apricots, strawberries, dark chocolate,
Less acidic
White bread, crisps, white pasta, white rice, bananas, apples, pastries
Acidity of foods and drinks
Most acidic
Soft drinks, energy drinks, carbonated drinks, sweets, milk chocolate, citrus fruits, fruit juices, tomatoes
Moderately acidic
Corn, peaches, pineapple, cherries, apricots, strawberries, dark chocolate,
Less acidic
White bread, crisps, white pasta, white rice, bananas, apples, pastries
Food and drinks with lower acidity
Low acidity
Carrots, cucumber, broccoli, celery, other raw vegetables
Very low acidity
Milk, plain crackers, cheese, nuts, wholemeal bread, plain yoghurt
Least acidic
Purified water, distilled water, tap water
Food and drinks with lower acidity
Low acidity
Carrots, cucumber, broccoli, celery, other raw vegetables
Very low acidity
Milk, plain crackers, cheese, nuts, wholemeal bread, plain yoghurt
Least acidic
Purified water, distilled water, tap water
More information on snacking
These foods are more likely to affect teeth if eaten frequently between meals:
- Sweets, dried fruits, citrus fruits, pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, chocolate, apples
These snacks are okay in moderation outside mealtimes:
- Flavoured breadsticks, flavoured crackers, smoothies (use a straw to reduce contact with teeth), crisps, bananas
Best snacks outside mealtimes:
- Cheese, milk, plain yoghurt, plain crackers, plain breadsticks, raw vegetables
More information on snacking
These foods are more likely to affect teeth if eaten frequently between meals:
- Sweets, dried fruits, citrus fruits, pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, chocolate, apples
These snacks are okay in moderation outside mealtimes:
- Flavoured breadsticks, flavoured crackers, smoothies (use a straw to reduce contact with teeth), crisps, bananas
Best snacks outside mealtimes:
- Cheese, milk, plain yoghurt, plain crackers, plain breadsticks, raw vegetables