The Tooth Decay Index

Share this infographic on your site!

Did you know that starchy, refined carbohydrates–foods like chip, bread, pasta, and crackers — can be as harmful to teeth as candy? What about how important saliva is to tooth health? Find out how with out tooth decay index!

You are what you eat, your teeth are too.

The pH Scale affects bad breath, tooth decay

Common pH values:
pH
Battery acid 1.0
Gastric acid 2.0
Lemon juice 2.4
Cola 2.5
Vinegar 2.9
Orange or apple juice 3.5
Beer 4.5
Acid rain Normal pH level of mouth 6.5
Pure water 7.0
Healthy human saliva 5 – 8
Blood 7.35 – 7.45
Sea water 8.0
Hand soap 9.0 – 10.0
Household ammonia 11.5
Bleach 12.5
Household lye 13.5
Caustic soda 12.7

Below 7=Acidic
Above 7= Alkaline

Bad breath causing bacteria thrive in higher acidity

It affects everyone:[4]
[# % people affected by tooth decay by age]
2-5 y.o.: 27.9%
6-11 y.o.:49%
12-15 y.o.:49.6%
16-19 y.o.:67.9%
20-39 y.o.:86.7%
40-59 y.o.: 95.1%
60+ y.o.:93.1%

And gets worse with age: [4]
[# %of teeth that are decayed, filed, or missing by age]

2-5 y.o.:5.05%
6-11 y.o.:1.75%
12-15 y.o.:6.25%
16-19 y.o.:11.6%
20-39 y.o.:25.25%
40-59 y.o.:45.89%
60+ y.o.:62.36%

Tooth Decay Index

[#ranking]
Components:
S = Sugary
A = Acidic
St = Starchy
ick = Sticky
M = Mouth Drying

1 = Best
40 = Worst

40 -Soft Drinks (S, A, ick, M) Soft drinks are probably the worst food for your teeth. They can cause dental erosion in short periods of time, are extremely sugary and have both phosphoric and citric acid.
39 -Sugar Free Soft Drinks (A, ick, M) People think that sugar-free soft drinks are better for your teeth. But they still have phosphoric and citric acid, and syrups stick to your teeth.
38 -Sugary Candies (S, ick)
37 -Chewy Candies (S, ick)
36 -Sweets that get stuck in your mouth (S, ick)
35 -Dried fruit (M) Dried fruits are sweet and sticky, They also are packed with non-soluble cellulose fiber which binds and traps sugars on teeth.
34 -Lemons (A, M) The high acidity in lemons can cause dental erosion. Compounding with acid reflux, and the ability to dry your mouth, lemons and lemon juice are harmful to dental health.
33 -Other citrus fruits (A,M)
32 -Pickles (A,M)
31 -Tomatoes (A)
30 -Pizza (A, St)
29 -Crackers (St,M) Starchy foods made from white flour are simple carbs that linger in your mouth and produce simple sugars. These feed bacteria causing tooth decay and bad breath.
28 -Coffee (A,M) Coffee stains teeth more than tobacco. With high acidity, and the ability to stick to your teeth, attracting food and bacteria particles, coffee is bad for dental health.
27 -Red and White Wine (M)
26 -Fruit juice (A,M,S)Fruit juices are sugary (often artificially), and many are more acidic than vinegar when consumed excessively. This wears down teeth and feeds bacteria in the mouth.
25 -Honey (S,M)
24 -White/Instant/Polished Rice (St)
23 -Beer (A, S, M,)
22 -Ketchup (St, M, S)Ketchup contains high levels of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and acid. This allows ketchup to stick to teeth, erode enamel, and feed bacteria.
21-Pasta (St)

The Good Guys

20 -Raisins-Raisins contain fructose and glucose, which aren't the most harmful types of sugar. They also contain phytochemicals that help fight the bacteria in your mouth.
19 -Cranberries Cranberries contain compounds that reduce bacteria's production of acid by up to 70%.
18 -Apples
17 -Carrots/Cucumbers
16 -Plain Yogurt
15 -Cheese
14 -Milk -The sugar in milk is lactose, which is the least damaging to teeth. Plus milk and dairy products are full of calcium.
13 -Beans
12 -Leafy Greens -Leafy greens, and other foods that force you to chew a lot literally scrub your teeth. They are rich in phytochemicals that fight bacteria, and some greens (collards, kale) are high in calcium.
11 -Spinach -Cleanses the mouth and scrubs teeth.
10 -Green and Black Teas -Combats bacteria
9 -Xylitol (sugarless chewing gum) -Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from fibrous parts of plants. It doesn't break down like sugar and can help keep a neutral pH level in your mouth. Xylitol also prevents bacteria from sticking to teeth.
8 -Chicken – Strengthens teeth
7 -Beef – Strengthens teeth.
6 -Walnuts -Walnuts are a powerhouse filled with fiber, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, niacin, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium and zinc.
5 -Almonds -Scrubs teeth and strengthens teeth.
4 -Cashews -Scrubs teeth and strengthens teeth.
3 Eggs -Eggs are high in phosphorus, a chemical needed for the formation of tooth enamel.
2- Fatty fish like Salmon Salmon is high in phosphorus and Vitamin D, which allows your body to absorb Calcium.
1-Water – Water is the primary component of saliva, and helps both teeth and gums to repair. It is also a final rinsing agent for foods and sugary drinks.

Saliva is important for dental health because of saliva's ability to wash away bacteria, cleanse teeth, prevent bad breath, and help gums and tooth enamel grow.

Do's and Dont's for Tooth Health:

Don't:
Crunch ice or popcorn
Don't "swish" around acidic drinks
Don't vigorously brush after acidic foods

Do:
Use a straw for acidic/sweet drinks
Use water as mouthwash

Citations: