Once the Christmas celebrations are over there’s nothing more relaxing than snuggling up in our onesies, sipping cups of hot chocolate or mulled wine and with the supermarkets tempting us with those reduced boxes of sweets it’s all too easy to snuggle up in front of the telly and indulge in sugary treats.
Sour and acidic foods
Many sour sweets such as fizzy cola bottles and boiled sweets are designed to be sucked on for a long period of time, which can be even more damaging to teeth than chocolate bars.
Similarly, cans of fizzy drinks and sports drinks are high in acidity and sugars, and even diet soda drinks can damage tooth enamel. When the acid attacks your teeth it can last as long as 20 minutes, and every time you take a sip on that fizzy sugar loaded drink it does damage. In an interview with the BBC website, Dr Christopher Allen, of the British Dental Association, said: “Parents and carers may feel that giving sugar-sweetened drinks is comforting, but in reality it’s more likely to cause pain and suffering as it is the major cause of tooth decay in toddlers.”
Fruits and vegetables are much smarter and healthier choices, although these contain sugars as well, which is why it’s only recommended that we eat five fruits a day. A quick swish of milk or water after consuming acidic or sour foods can help neutralize the acids.
Sweet treats
The American Dental Association says when sugary foods like sticky toffees, caramels, cakes and cookies are consumed, the bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids, which can lead to tooth decay.
Some health experts suggest fighting those snack attack moments by taking a handful of dried fruits such as raisins instead of raiding the cupboards and fridge for sweet and sugary items. Although they are sweet, raisins contain fructose and glucose, not sucrose, which some dentists believe is the key culprit of sugar-related oral diseases.
While they only contain natural sugars, raisins still consist of about 60% sugars by weight. When consuming dried fruits make sure that you brush and floss your teeth just as you would with other sour, sweet and acidic foods to protect your teeth against decay.
For advice on how to take care of your teeth, give us a call today on 0208 987 9977.