You may be used to your dentist telling you about how important it is to brush your teeth twice a day, but what about your diet? As well as oral hygiene, the foods you eat can also have a major impact on your oral health and no amount of brushing will be able to save your teeth if you consume excessive amounts of foods that are ‘bad’ for your teeth. Sugar is the number one enemy for the teeth, as it causes bacteria in your mouth to produce acids, known as plaque acids, which erode the enamel. Although enamel is the hardest substance in the body, there is a limit to how many attacks it can withstand and eventually, it can become thin and worn. Most people are aware that their favourite treats, like doughnuts, biscuits and chocolate bars, are laden with sugar, but you may be surprised to find out that sports drinks, fruit juice and shop-bought smoothies, can also be packed full of sugar. Another problem food is starchy carbohydrates, such as crisps, for example; carbohydrates are broken down into sugars, so they have the same effect as simple sugars and foods like crisps also tend to cling to the enamel and get stuck in the pits in the biting surfaces of the teeth. Drinking certain beverages, such as coffee, tea, red and white wine, can also contribute to discolouration of the teeth, so it’s best to avoid these if you are determined to keep your pearly whites clean and bright.
