Medically Reviewed by Dr. Golnaz Samimifar, DMD on August 5, 2026
Your oral health speaks a lot about your overall health. That’s why it only takes one look from your dentist to know whether you’re healthy or not. If you’re looking for a way to improve your oral health, then you might want to see why a dentist in Englewood, CO, would recommend that you avoid these types of foods.
Carbonated drinks are the number one cause of tooth decay in adults. Needless to say, while not all adults consume sugary desserts and candies, the majority of them still consume carbonated drinks regularly. If you seriously want to avoid cavities, then it’s best if you reduce your consumption of soft drinks, energy drinks, and carbonated fruit juices.
These types of foods are often the cause of tooth decay and cavities in teenagers, especially in children. If you want to avoid having damaged teeth when you get older, it’s best if you reduce your consumption of sugary sweets as early as possible. Avoiding candies and sweets will benefit your oral health and your overall health.
Some foods and drinks can also cause staining and discoloration. If you’re a wine or coffee drinker, you’ll know this all too well. One of the major causes of teeth stains are the pigments coming from coffee and wine, which stick to your teeth. You can avoid teeth stains caused by these foods by drinking plenty of water and brushing your teeth.
Carbonated drinks, sugary sweets, coffee, and wine are common culprits, but they are not the only foods worth watching. According to the American Dental Association, several other everyday foods can quietly work against your oral health.
Chewing on ice, hard candies, or lollipops puts direct pressure on your enamel and can chip or crack a tooth. Hard candies also dissolve slowly in the mouth, extending the amount of time sugar sits against your teeth and feeds decay-causing bacteria.
Dried fruit is often marketed as a healthy snack, but its sticky texture means it clings to the grooves and surfaces of your teeth far longer than fresh fruit. That extended contact time gives bacteria more opportunity to produce the acids that cause cavities.
Starchy foods break down into simple sugars as you chew, and chips in particular tend to get trapped between teeth. If that starch is not brushed or flossed away promptly, it feeds the same bacteria responsible for plaque buildup.
Alcohol reduces saliva production, and saliva is one of your mouth's natural defenses against decay and gum disease. Many sports and energy drinks marketed as healthy choices are also highly acidic and carry as much sugar as soda, making them a hidden risk for your enamel.
Balancing out the foods to avoid, certain foods actively support oral health. Cheese and other dairy products raise saliva production and calcium levels around the teeth. Crunchy vegetables like celery and carrots have a natural scrubbing action, and plain water is the simplest way to rinse away food particles and sugar between brushings. Building more of these choices into your diet, alongside limiting the foods above, gives your teeth the best chance at staying cavity-free between visits.
You do not need to eliminate every food on this list, but a few habits go a long way toward protecting your enamel. Rinse with water after eating or drinking something acidic or sugary, wait about 30 minutes before brushing so you are not brushing softened enamel, and chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow between meals. Staying current with regular dental checkups also gives your dentist the chance to catch early decay or staining before it becomes a bigger problem.
If years of coffee, wine, or acidic foods have already left visible staining or wear on your smile, professional teeth whitening and cosmetic dental services can help restore a brighter, healthier-looking smile. Patients dealing with active gum irritation from a poor diet may also benefit from an evaluation for gum disease treatment, and anyone building extra cavity protection into their routine can ask about professional fluoride treatment at their next visit.
Quick tip: rinse with water after sugary or acidic foods, wait 30 minutes before brushing, and keep up with twice-yearly cleanings so small problems get caught early.
Here at Sopris Smiles, our dentists know how to take care of your teeth properly. We can assure you that your oral health is safe with us with our expertise. Get in touch with our team today to learn how to take care of your oral health properly.
Diet soda has less sugar, but it is still highly acidic. That acid softens and erodes enamel over time even without the sugar content, so diet soda and sparkling water should both be treated as occasional drinks rather than daily habits.
Wait about 30 minutes before brushing. Sugary and acidic foods temporarily soften enamel, and brushing right away can wear it down further. Rinsing with water immediately after eating helps clear away sugar in the meantime.
Dried fruit can be just as concerning as candy because it is sticky and clings to the grooves of your teeth for an extended period. That prolonged contact gives decay-causing bacteria more time to produce the acids that lead to cavities.
Yes. Ice is hard enough to chip or crack a tooth, especially one that already has a filling or crown. If you enjoy cold drinks, let the ice melt slightly or drink around it rather than chewing it directly.
Cheese and dairy products help boost saliva and calcium around the teeth, crunchy vegetables like celery and carrots offer a natural scrubbing action, and plain water rinses away food particles between brushings. Pairing these choices with regular checkups supports a healthier smile.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lead Dentist, Sopris Smiles
Dr. Golnaz Samimifar brings over 1,000 hours of continuing education to her practice at Sopris Smiles and maintains memberships in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Colorado Dental Association, the Metro Denver Dental Society, and the American Dental Association.
