Even vegetables can harm your teeth

We used to think that vegetables are an absolute blessing. Lots of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients. But scientists from different countries suddenly found out that even such food can be harmful. And not just anywhere, but right on your teeth.

The research team decided to test how plant foods affect enamel. But not just vegetables, but the microscopic particles they contain, the so—called phytoliths. These are tiny silica crystals that plants produce from the soil. We don’t feel them to the touch, but for enamel it’s like sandpaper.

To test this, experts created artificial leaves with phytoliths and pressed them against real human teeth (obtained from dentists) using a device that simulates chewing. Everything happened under strict scientific control, with precise adjustments to pressure and movement.

The result was quite unexpected. Even soft leaves with microscopic inclusions caused irreversible changes in the enamel. Minerals disappeared, microcracks appeared. At the same time, chipping did not occur, as usual, but a gradual deformation of the surface occurred.

Although the phytoliths themselves were destroyed in the process, they still turned out to be more harmful than they seemed. They increased wear and reduced the strength of the enamel. The reason is its special microstructure. Although the enamel is very hard, it is at the same time brittle, and under constant microscopic pressure it begins to lose its shape.

Important: this is not a reason to stop eating vegetables. But the new discovery helps to understand why, even with good dental care, some people develop sensitivity or increased wear earlier. Perhaps it’s not just the sugar and coffee, but also the details of our diet that no one had noticed before.

So if you’re a fan of raw vegetables, you might want to polish your teeth more often, not only with a brush, but also with visits to the doctor. Or at least drink broccoli with water.