“But doctor, I hardly eat sweets!” — said by many patients with cavities. Sugar is not the only culprit. Acid, stickiness and frequency matter as much. Here are five things we see doing damage every day in Dombivli homes.
1. Lemon water and “detox” drinks
Warm lemon water first thing in the morning is a healthy habit for many — and one of the fastest ways to erode enamel. Citric acid softens the enamel surface; brushing straight afterwards scrubs the softened layer away. If you drink it, use a straw, rinse with plain water, and wait 30 minutes before brushing.
2. Dried fruit, dates and chikki
Raisins, dates, anjeer and jaggery-based sweets are marketed as healthy alternatives to sugar. To a tooth they are concentrated sugar that sticks in the grooves of the molars for hours. Eat them with a meal rather than as a between-meal snack, and rinse afterwards.
3. Sipping tea or coffee all day
One cup with breakfast is fine. Six cups spaced through the day keeps the mouth acidic and stained for hours at a stretch. It is the frequency, not the quantity, that harms. The same applies to sugary chai, cold drinks and packaged juices — one sitting is better than constant sipping.
4. Biscuits, chips and namkeen
Refined starch breaks down into sugar in the mouth within minutes, and these foods pack into the gaps between teeth and stay there. Children snacking on biscuits after school are a major reason we see decay between the back teeth in eight-year-olds.
5. Pickles, vinegar and sour candy
All highly acidic. Occasional achaar with a meal is not a problem; sucking on imli, sour candies or drinking aerated drinks between meals is. Aerated drinks combine acid and sugar, which is the worst of both.
What actually protects teeth
- Limit eating to meals and one or two snacks — give your saliva time to neutralise acid between them.
- Rinse with plain water after anything acidic or sticky.
- Cheese, nuts, milk and crunchy raw vegetables are tooth-friendly snacks.
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth once a day.
None of this means giving up food you love. It means changing when and how often — which is usually enough.
Have a question about this?
Sensitive teeth, yellowing, or cavities that keep coming back despite brushing? Diet is often the missing piece. Come in and we will look at the pattern of wear on your teeth — it tells us a lot.