When it’s time for your routine dental cleaning, you’re probably surrounded by pictures of “smiling teeth” next to fruits, vegetables and toothbrushes. You might curse yourself for not flossing more consistently, or you might feel self-conscious as the dental assistant picks at your gums. You might nervously hope to avoid hearing “you have a cavity.”Going to the dentist isn’t always fun, but being proactive about your dental health can help. When it comes to having strong, healthy teeth, there’s something that’s both under-discussed and important to know: Some surprising foods can be damaging.Besides well-loved cheese snack crackers, we’re also talking about a certain food that can do wonders for your gut health. Ahead, dentists reveal what it is (and how it messes with your teeth), the safer version, and how to protect your teeth after eating it.This health food can damage your teeth.The food in question, believe it or not, is yogurt.“Although generally [a] ‘healthy’ snack, there are certain aspects of yogurt that can negatively affect teeth,” said Dr. Liel Grinbaum, a pediatric dentist and owner of Smiles + Grins in New York.That comes down to one main reason: The sugar in it combines with bacteria in your mouth, producing acid, which is harsh on your chompers.“When the environment around a tooth becomes sufficiently acidic, minerals can begin leaving the enamel surface,” explained Dr. Jonathan Richter, a dual-trained holistic periodontist, prosthodontist and expert in implant dentistry. “Repeated acidic exposures can therefore contribute to enamel demineralization and, over time, erosion.”Additionally, the toppings you might include — while nutritious — can cause further problems.“Sometimes, yogurts with toppings like granola, peanut butter, crunchy things or jam can stick to your teeth and prolong acid exposure,” added Dr. Lilya Horowitz, a general dentist and owner of Domino Dental in Brooklyn, New York.What type of yogurt is best for teeth?Don’t get us wrong: Yogurt isn’t all bad, even for your teeth. For example, a 2022 study found that yogurt intake is associated with a lower risk of tooth loss from periodontal disease.Plus, the kind you choose matters. Dentists recommend plain or unsweetened Greek yogurt.“If more sweetness is desired, consider adding whole fruit yourself,” Richter added. He cautioned against flavored yogurts, fruit-on-the-bottom yogurts, squeezable yogurts and drinkable yogurts.For a more savory way to enjoy it, Horowitz suggested mixing Greek yogurt into a salad dressing or using it as a substitute for sour cream in soup.Grinbaum agreed that not all yogurt is completely bad for your teeth, encouraging the milk-based kind.“Milk (dairy) yogurt has natural calcium, phosphate and casein proteins, which are beneficial to the protection of enamel,” he said. “Nut-based yogurts can be fortified but do not contain the same natural proteins, and they usually contain some type of added sugars for flavoring.”Here’s how to protect your teeth after eating yogurt.Still want to eat yogurt (maybe even the sugary kinds)? We can’t blame you. Dentists shared steps you can take to reduce the dental risk:Swallow the yogurt immediately rather than swishing or holding it in your mouth.Rinse your mouth after eating it.Chew sugar-free gum (xylitol gum) for about 20 minutes after eating it to stimulate saliva, which can clear food, buffer acids and return calcium and phosphate to the tooth surface.Wait about 30 minutes to brush your teeth afterward.Get regular dental checkups.Use fluoride toothpaste if you’re at high risk for cavities.Limit frequent exposure by eating a serving with a meal rather than repeatedly snacking or sipping on it over several hours.To keep this message short and sweet, Richter concluded that yogurt’s dental effect depends on four things: the type of yogurt, amount of sugar, frequency of exposure and way it’s consumed.“The key is not to avoid yogurt altogether, but to understand which types are more tooth-friendly and how eating habits affect enamel and cavity risk,” he clarified. “Yogurt isn’t the enemy, but not all yogurt is equally friendly to your teeth.”