For years we’ve been warned about the harmful effects sweets and chocolate have on our teeth. But there are plenty of other hidden sources of tooth decay, enamel erosion and staining. Read on to discover the cavity-causing culprits.

Do you prefer bottled rather than tap water? You aren’t doing your teeth any favors. When bottled water is purified it becomes more acidic, which can increase the risk of cavities. Plus, tap water also contains fluoride, a natural chemical added to the water supply to strengthen tooth enamel. In 2007, the Journal of Dental Research found fluoridation reduced tooth decay by 27% in adults.

Adding raisins to a child’s lunch box may seem like a healthy option but they’ve been blamed for a rise in tooth decay. Warnings came earlier this month after the Royal College of Surgeons revealed the number of under-5s having teeth removed in the UK has risen 24% in the past decade. “Dried fruit is full of sugar that clings to the teeth," Tam Fry, of the UK’s National Obesity Forum told The HuffPost. “If the teeth are not brushed after the meal, it starts to rot the enamel.”

If you eat popcorn regularly you’ll be familiar with those unpopped kernels lurking at the bottom of the bag (or bowl). Grab one accidentally and you could end up with a broken tooth. The thin shell surrounding the kernels can also get trapped between the teeth, which creates a feeding ground for bacteria and can lead to infection.

The deep pigment in curry powder and turmeric can strain teeth yellow over time. To reduce their effects, toothpaste manufacturer Colgate advises: “Whenever you dine on curry-spiced food, mix in fresh fruits and vegetables that prevent stains, such as apples, carrots, cauliflower and celery.” It’s also a good idea to drink plenty of eater while enjoying your favorite curry. This should be easy if you like the super-hot variety!

Gulp down a cold drink on a hot sunny day and it can be hard to resist crunching on the leftover ice. But be warned, this can cause cracks in the surface of tooth enamel. “If a piece of ice is between your teeth and you bite down at an unusual angle, you could potentially chip off part of the enamel on a tooth or crack off a filling,” dental expert Dr. James E Jacobs told Everyday Health. “You might also crack, or split, the tooth itself.”

Although it's packed with vitamins, most of us have woken up to the fact that orange juice is very high in cavity-causing sugars and should be limited. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Dentistry revealed this breakfast favorite can decrease enamel hardness by 84%. YanFang Ren of the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, who led the study, explained: “The acid is so strong that the tooth is literally washed away."

Fruit is already high in natural sugars but when canned it’s often submerged in a thick cavity-causing syrup. Canned citrus fruits are especially bad for teeth as they’re also highly acidic. If you can’t buy fresh, opt for frozen instead or canned fruit that has been stored in natural juices.

If you’ve ever spilt a glass of red wine, you’ll know how easily it can stain. So just think what it’s doing to your teeth. This is because red wine contains tannins, which causes the intensely-colored compounds to stick to the teeth. Like most alcoholic drinks, wine is also acidic. “If you have a preference for mixing liquor with dark sodas or drinking red wine, say goodbye to a white smile,” says Dr. Timothy Chase of SmilesNY.

Hoping you could stick to Sauvignon Blanc instead? Sorry. White wine is just as damaging as red, if not more so. Irwin Smigel, president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics, explains: “The acidity in wine makes teeth more susceptible to stains, and white wine is generally more acidic… This acid can leave teeth vulnerable to stains from darkly colored food."

“Because of their acidity, bright red hue and tendency to cling to the teeth, the tomatoes in pasta sauce can leave your teeth vulnerable to staining,” warns Colgate. The high amount of sugar added to many processed sauces can weaken enamel as well. To reduce the risk, make your own sugar-free sauce or dilute shop-bought products with water.

It’s a BBQ classic but before you sink your teeth into corn on the cob be aware you could dislodge any loose teeth or cracked filings. And, make sure you have a tooth picker to hand to get rid of any bits stuck between your teeth, as they could harbor bacteria.

Thinking swapping your favorite sugary soda to the diet version will reduce the damage to your teeth? Think again. “Most contain an acid that can weaken tooth enamel – even diet soda,” explains John F. Buzzatto, president of the American Association of Orthodontists. To reduce contact with your teeth and limit damage, try drinking soda through a straw.

If you struggle to fit in your five-a-day, a smoothie can seem like the perfect solution. But even those with no added ingredients are very high in sugar. Fruit is naturally sweet but when broken down by blending more sugar is released from their fibrous structure. The NHS advises: “These sugars can damage your teeth so it's best to drink fruit juice or smoothies at mealtimes. Your combined total of drinks from fruit juice, vegetable juice and smoothies should not be more than 150ml a day."

Like other starchy foods, potato chips tend to stick between the teeth long after eating, which can increase risk of tooth decay. “Chips tend to be crunchy and then chewy, causing them to linger in your mouth,” explains Timothy Chase, a Practicing Partner at SmilesNY. “The longer they are stuck in your teeth, the more acid produced.”

We all know candy is bad for our teeth but were you aware that anything sugary can continue to attack your teeth for up to an hour after eating? Carole Palmer of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine recommends eating sugary snacks around mealtimes rather than grazing on treats throughout the day. She told Men’s Health: “As long as you’re sipping it or snacking on it, the bacteria that can cause decay are changing that sugar into acid, and that acid is eroding the tooth.”

Surprisingly, the starches contained in refined carbohydrates like white bread and crackers can be harmful to teeth. Delta Dental Insurance advises: “Starches made from white flour are simple carbohydrates and can linger in your mouth and then break down into simple sugars. Bacteria feed on these sugars and produce acid, which causes tooth decay."

Coffee is notorious for staining teeth and once you start adding creamers and sugar you’re risking further damage to your enamel. As a diuretic, coffee can also dry out the mouth, which stops saliva fighting against bacteria.

Drinking lemon with hot water is a great way to cleanse the system but it can have an irreversible effect on your teeth. Dr Nigel Carter of the British Dental Health Foundation explains: "The problem is the acidity of the drink which, if taken regularly, will lead to a softening and wearing away of the enamel surface of the tooth known as dental erosion. This can lead to discoloration." Drinking through a straw will reduce the risk of damage.

Pickles are soaked in vinegar, which is highly acidic and will increase your risk of tooth decay by breaking down enamel. “Vinegar may contribute to remineralization of the teeth and to tooth sensitivity,” Dental expert Robert Schifferle told The Daily Meal. “After eating a food containing vinegar, you may want to rinse your mouth with water or chew some sugarless gum, while avoiding tooth brushing for at least 30 minutes.”

Tooth erosion caused by sprakling wine is so common it’s been dubbed the ‘Prosecco smile’. That’s according to Dr. Mervyn Druian of the London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry. She told the Daily Mail: “These are women who take pride in their appearance and live otherwise healthy lifestyles... they don't realize the damage they're doing to their teeth.” The bubbles in prosecco are created with carbon dioxide, which is extremely acidic and can weaken teeth and erode enamel.

An apple a day might keep the doctor away but it could lead to a trip to the dentist as hard and crunchy foods can damage weak teeth and even cause them to crack. Fairfield Dental Associates reports: “Apples and carrots can be some of the worst offenders. This is especially true of people with composites or more fragile, softer enamel. You do need the fantastic nutrients these foods offer. The best way to consume them is to cut them up into smaller pieces. Don’t chomp down with your front teeth."

They’ll give you a fresh breath in the short term but mints can cause lasting damage to your oral health because they’re packed with sugar. Dentists advise opting for sugar-free versions instead, especially those sweetened with xylitol. This ingredient has been recognized by the American Academy Of Pediatric Dentistry as helping combat bacteria associated with tooth decay.

Cereal bars are often marketed as healthy on-the-go snacks but they’re often incredibly high in the cavity-causing sweet stuff.

Increasingly popular as a detoxing health tonic, apple cider vinegar has been praised for easing all sorts of symptoms related to diabetes, weight gain and high cholesterol. Traditionally used as a cleaner, it’s highly acidic and can damage tooth enamel. To reduce the potential harm, dilute it with water before drinking.

Energy and sports drinks may give you a boost in the mornings, but they can wreak havoc on your teeth as they’re very acidic and often packed with sugar. In 2008, researchers at the University of Iowa's College of Dentistry soaked extracted teeth in various liquids for 25 hours. Their results showed sports and energy drinks eroded enamel more than fruit juices or fizzy drinks.