Pickles are Tasty, but Can They Harm Your Teeth?

Whether dill pickles or sour pickles are your preference, these small cucumbers preserved in vinegar are considered a tasty treat by many. When it comes to your teeth, however, it’s best to save pickles as an occasional indulgence.

The vinegar used to make pickles is highly acidic and that’s hard on your tooth enamel, especially if you indulge often. You don’t want your oral health in La Porte to get in a pickle, so keep reading to find out how they can be problematic. Plus, discover some particular pickles that have actually shown to be helpful to teeth!

Why Do Pickles Pose a Threat to Your Oral Health?

Some examples of highly acidic foods and drinks that should be limited or avoided for the good of your teeth are beef, cheese, white bread, wine, and pickles. Products with low pH values are acidic, and their high levels of acid can weaken your teeth.

Cucumbers on their own are no trouble for your teeth. It’s only when vinegar transforms them into pickles that you need to limit your consumption. Research has shown that eating pickles more than once a day increases the probability of enamel erosion by about 85 percent!

If you are going to eat pickles despite the risk, at least try to mix them with foods that are not acidic like broccoli, mango, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and celery. Chewing sugarless gum or drinking water after eating pickles also helps to neutralize the acid.

Of course, brushing your teeth after eating anything is a good idea, but it’s important to note that you should wait at least 30 minutes before brushing when you’ve eaten pickles. Having been weakened by the acid, your teeth will be in a vulnerable state.

Are There Pickles That Won’t Harm Teeth?

Last year, a research team evaluated more than a dozen types of Sichuan pickles from southwest China. They discovered a strain of bacteria, L. plantarum K41, that notably reduced the severity and incidence of cavities.

This strain was also highly tolerant of salts and acids, so it could have the added benefit of being a probiotic. When fruits and vegetables are fermented, healthy bacteria break down the natural sugars. These bacteria, known as probiotics, stabilize the intestinal microbiota, reduce cholesterol levels, provide immune system regulation, and even inhibit tooth decay!

Currently, only the Sichuan pickles are known to have this excellent effect on teeth, so for your general purposes you should exercise caution and stick to having a pickle every now and then. Your dentist in La Porte can check to make sure your grin hasn’t been compromised by one too many gherkins.

About the Practice

At Region Dental, our dentists provide patients in La Porte with a stellar experience that redefines expectations. We are committed to offering quality dental care with an emphasis on customer service. We are passionate about preventive dentistry, but in case a few too many pickles have done a number on your enamel, we have several restorative dentistry services, as well. Visit our website or call (219) 362-8980.