From the time we are young, we are told what is “healthy” and what is “unhealthy” for our bodies. The same thing goes for our teeth. We all already have conceptions of what we’re not supposed to eat to keep our dental hygiene as pristine as possible.

Candy, chocolate, and sugar are just some examples of foods that we know are not good for our teeth. Going to the dentist regularly can educate anyone on the most well known foods, drinks, and substances that cause poor dental hygiene.

That being said, there are actually plenty of foods out there that you would have no idea are harming your teeth. The surprising part is that these foods are all typically perceived as “healthy” foods by the general public. According to The Health Line, here are five foods that are bad for your teeth, and many of them are shocking.

1. Bread: When you eat bread, the starches are broken down into sugar by your saliva. In fact, many types of bread now contain high fructose corn syrup and other forms of sugar. Bread easily gets stuck in between your teeth, so all that sugar is now sticking to the nooks and crannies in your mouth. The Health Line advises you to stick to whole wheat breads that contain fewer sugars.
2. Alcohol: Drinking alcohol actually dries out your mouth, which can be very problematic because our saliva does a lot to protect our teeth. With a dry mouth, your saliva can’t do its job properly.
3. Ice: Ice, really? Ice is just frozen water, how can that be bad for your teeth? It’s not the ice itself, but rather chewing on the ice that is harmful. The Health Line tells us that chewing on hard substances can damage your tooth enamel, which can lead to a whole array of dental problems.
4. Citrus: There are many healthy and nutritious components to citrus fruits for your body. However, while your body craves Vitamin C, citrus fruits are not always so kind to your teeth. The acid in citrus can erode tooth enamel, which, as mentioned previously, can be a slippery slope to many other dental issues.
5. Dried Fruits: How can dried fruits be anything but good for you? Well, they’re sticky. Just like bread, they get stuck in the crevices of your teeth and leave behind a lot of sugar. Brushing or rinsing out your mouth after eating these snacks can allow you to still enjoy them without the potentially harmful effects.

How many of these foods do you consume without thinking twice because you know them to be “healthy?” In adults aged 30 years and older, 47.2% of them have some form of periodontal disease. This is probably associated with the fact that people are eating these seemingly healthy foods, not knowing they are bad for their teeth and gums.

If you are concerned about the condition of your teeth, make sure to visit your family dentist, take advantage of their dental services, and to get your teeth looked at twice a year.