As a big fan of Doritos, I was hoping that it’s not true that they are bad for your teeth.
But we all know that Doritos certainly have an artificial coloring that can stain your teeth, but what else could they do?
So, I decided to look at some commonly asked questions to find out the whole story.
Do Doritos have any ingredients that damage your teeth?
Do they have an impact on tooth enamel?
Does it matter how many Doritos you eat?
Does the crunchy texture affect your teeth?
How can you protect your teeth while eating Doritos?
Let’s explore the subject of Doritos and dental health!
Doritos are undoubtedly bad for teeth, as they contain high levels of artificial flavors, salt, and sugar. The texture of Doritos, being crunchy, could be responsible for the erosion of tooth enamel. Eating Doritos on a daily basis could result in a higher risk of tooth decay and cavities. Good oral health can be maintained by brushing your teeth and flossing after eating Doritos and not consuming too many. A glass of water after eating can help to remove leftover salt and sugar on the teeth. Regular dental check-ups are a necessity to check for damage.
Do Doritos Contain Sugar?
So, unfortunately, the sad truth is that Doritos are bad for your teeth!
Let’s look at the harmful ingredients in Doritos to find out what the problem is.
Similar to other snacks, Doritos contain high levels of salt and sugar.
Not to mention artificial flavors and coloring.
These can all lead to a greater risk of tooth decay.
Let’s start with sugar, and I’m sure you all know that this is bad for your teeth.
Perhaps you are careful with eating obviously sweet products, such as chocolate, etc.
But many savory items also contain sugar.
I have to say that looking at the nutrition content of Doritos can be a bit misleading.
Because it is based on what they describe as a single serving.
Which is 1oz, equal to 12 chips.
Realistically, who only ever eats just 12 Doritos?
So, the manufacturer describes Doritos as low in sugar, at only 1g per serving.
But, as you are likely to eat more than one serving, that sugar soon adds up.
The main problem with sugar, as regards your dental health, is that it provides food for any bacteria in your mouth.
These bacteria then produce acid that can eat away and erode your tooth enamel.
What Ingredients in Doritos Can Damage Your Teeth?
So, if the information on sugar in Doritos hasn’t already put you off, then let’s look at the other harmful ingredients.
Salt is our next bad guy, and we all know that we should moderate our intake for our health overall.
But it can also increase the risk of tooth decay and developing cavities.
Not directly, but simply because foods high in sodium typically also have sugar.
Plus, too much salt can lead to a loss of calcium which is essential for your teeth.
Looking at the nutrition information for Doritos, the salt content is 210mg, which is the equivalent of 9% of our daily allowance.
But again, this is assuming you restrict yourself to just 1oz of Doritos!
So, you can see that even if you just have double that amount, you have reached one-fifth of your salt allowance for the day.
And finally, we have to consider the artificial flavors and colors in Doritos.
The added flavors, which include monosodium glutamate (MSG), and salt, can often contain more hidden sugar.
And let’s admit, Doritos do have a very bold color, and this can cause discoloration and staining of your teeth.
Just look what they do to your fingers!
How Does the Texture of Doritos Affect Tooth Enamel?
One of the pleasures of Doritos is their crunchy texture, that satisfying snap when you bite into them.
But this in itself can be problematic for your dental health.
Each time you bite into a Dorito, it applies pressure to your tooth enamel.
Over time, this can cause it to erode.
And once this starts happening, you can look forward to cavities and sensitivity, leading to pain.
You also need to consider that Doritos can break into tiny pieces, as I am sure you have seen at the bottom of the bag!
These small fragments can get stuck between your teeth, which leads to gum disease and decay.
The Worst Foods For Your Teeth
My Thoughts
- Doritos have high levels of artificial flavors, salt, and sugar, which can lead to cavities and tooth decay
- The crunchy texture of the chips can increase the risk of dental problems, including enamel erosion
- Doritos contain food coloring that can also lead to stained teeth
- Fragments of Doritos can stick in between teeth, causing gum disease
- Balance your snack habits with regular dental check-ups
I hope you enjoyed this article and can perhaps enjoy your Doritos in moderation while being aware of the dangers to your teeth.
Would you make a change in your eating habits to protect your teeth?
And if you enjoy cheese-based snacks, find out if cheez-its really are made of cheese!