Each time you eat fermentable carbohydrates, oral bacteria produce acid. Saliva repairs that acid attack, but constant snacking gives it little recovery time.
Frequency changes the risk
A sweet food eaten with lunch causes one acid cycle. The same food nibbled over several hours creates repeated cycles. Sticky crackers, dried fruit, candy, sweet coffee, and sports drinks can be especially persistent.
Smile-friendlier choices
Keep snacks to defined times and drink plain water between meals. Cheese, nuts, vegetables, and unsweetened yogurt are generally easier on teeth than sticky or slowly sipped options.
- Finish sweet drinks rather than sipping all afternoon
- Rinse with water after acidic foods
- Wait about 30 minutes before brushing after acids
- Use fluoride toothpaste twice daily
