Acidic foods can eat away at tooth enamel, which can in turn lead to damaged teeth. While you can avoid some junk foods completely, it may be harder to eat healthy while completely avoiding acidic foods. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to enjoy the acidic foods you love while still caring for your teeth. Here are just a few things to keep in mind when adding acidic foods to your diet.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum provides a host of benefits, including neutralizing acids, which can help to prevent the wearing away of your tooth enamel. Consider chewing in between meals or even before you are about to eat a meal rich with acidic foods. Sugar-free gum can also reduce symptoms of dry mouth and reduce plaque from developing on your teeth.

Drink With A Straw

While you should try to avoid soda and other acidic drinks as much as possible, using a straw can reduce the amount of time the acidic drinks come into contact with your teeth. This solution isn't as effective as avoiding the drinks completely, but it is a good option if you do decide to indulge occasionally. Be sure to avoid chewing on the straws, however, as this can cause damage to your teeth as well.

Visit Your Family Dentist Regularly

Regular checkups and cleanings can help you to keep your teeth looking great, and they can help your dentist to identify the early stages of tooth decay. Talk to your family dentist about any concerns you have about the amount of acidic foods you consume, and discuss proper oral care routines to combat the effects of acid.

Combine Foods With High And Low Acidity

In some cases, you can counteract the effects of foods high in acid by combining them with foods that are low in acid. For example, tomatoes are acidic, but combining tomato-based pasta sauce with whole grain pasta can help to prevent the acidic foods from damaging your teeth. The low-acid foods work to reduce the concentration of acid. Your dentist can help you to determine which foods you can combine to neutralize acid while still allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods.

Partner with your dentist, like John S. Lyon DDS, and your primary care doctor to ensure you are getting the nutrition you need while working to protect your teeth. If you have special dietary concerns, you'll want to make sure to consult with both care providers before making any changes to your diet.