WHEN it comes to foods your dentist might disapprove of you keeping in your home, sugar is top of the list.
It’s no secret that regularly snacking on cookies and sweets can lead to tooth decay in both kids and adults.
But they’re not the only treat you might want to think twice about stashing in your food cupboards.
According to Dr Nyree Whitley, chief clinical officer at mydentist, your favourite salty snack can “feed plaque and bacteria” in your mouth, increasing your risk of cavities.
And if your go-to is to pop a ready meal into the microwave at the end of a long day, you’re probably not doing your gnashers any favours.
What’s more, easy-to-chew processed meals could also up your child’s risk of tooth loss and speech problems later in life, Dr Whitley added.
The dental expert revealed four foods and drinks she’d never allow in her home.
1. Energy drinks
In your mind, an energy drink might not pose the same risks as a can of Cola.
Though they can certainly give you a much needed energy boost when you’re lagging, they won’t help you maintain your pearly whites, Dr Whitley warned.
She said: “While a popular choice and source of energy, most energy drinks contain high levels of sugar and acid, which could cause damage to your enamel, and lead to sensitivity and dental decay.
“The first indication of this may be teeth sensitive to temperature and sugars.”
If you can’t do without your energy boost, Dr Whitley recommended you opt for a sugar free alternative.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Foods that should come with a cigarette-style health warning” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6359982756112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“Drink them in moderation to minimise damage to your teeth,” she added.
“You may also find it beneficial to drink them through a straw, rinse your mouth with water after drinking them to reduce acidity and wait for at least one hour before you brush your teeth.”
2. Crisps
It might surprise you to know that an intensely salty snack like crisps can harm your gnashers too.
As Dr Whitley explained: “Crisps are typically quite high in starch, which over time, breaks down into sugar and can feed plaque and bacteria.
“In some cases, this can lead to tooth decay. Because of their texture, crisps can also get stuck in your teeth and be quite difficult for saliva to wash away food particles, which can cause plaque build-up.
“If you opt for salty crisps, you may also find you get a dry mouth, which can increase your risk of developing tooth decay.”
The solution?
Only crunch on crisps in moderation to keep your teeth healthy and lower your risk of tooth decay or damage.
3. Sweets
The next addition to Dr Whitley’s list of forbidden foods won’t come as a surprise to any of us.
The dental expert said: “It’s no secret that consuming too much sugar can have a harmful effect on our overall health, but it is also the leading cause of tooth decay in both children and adults.
“When we eat sugar, it interacts with the bacteria in plaque to produce acid, which can slowly dissolve the enamel on our teeth and create holes or cavities.”
Dr Whitley advised: “If you have a naturally sweet tooth, try to enjoy sugar in balance and opt for unprocessed forms of sugar where possible.”
This can include naturally sweet food like fruit.
But if you really have a hankering for cakes and jelly sweets, try switching them out for dark chocolate, Dr Whitley suggested.
Enjoy a couple squares in moderation to keep your smile healthy.
4. Ready meals
Ultra processed foods (UPF) refer to foods that have been heavily altered from their original state and contain ingredients you wouldn’t usually find in your home kitchen.
Think meat products like bacon, ham and sausages, as well as packaged biscuits and ice cream, crisps, fizzy drinks, breakfast cereals, fruity yoghurts and supermarket bread.
Mounting evidence has linked these foods to a higher risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and bowel cancer, with junk food linked to 32 illnesses in a study published last year.
Meanwhile, research tracking people’s health for 30 years linked diets heavy in UPFs to a higher risk of early death.
According to Dr Whitley, this category of foods can cause oral health problems too.
She said: “Recent research has shown that UPFs could be causing changes to the shape of children’s jaws and teeth, which is alarming.
“Because most UPFs are designed for convenience, they are often easier to chew, which can lead to weakness in the jaw.
“If children’s jaws don’t develop properly, this could cause them a plethora of oral health problems over the course of their life – such as difficulty eating, tooth loss, or speech problems.”
She added: “UPFs are typically high in preservatives, additives, and often sugar, which can cause tooth decay if not enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
“We are seeing an increase in tooth decay when it comes to children’s oral health, which is often connected to ultra processed foods such as fizzy drinks, crisps, chocolate and sweets.
“However, other processed foods such as pre-made meals often also contain a high-level of additives and sugar which can be harmful to our oral health.”
Dr Whitley acknowledged that UPFs “are a part of people’s diets due to convenience and cost”.
She advised: “It’s important that parents are ensuring their children are enjoying foods such as crisps, fizzy drinks and processed meals in moderation and maintaining a balanced diet, with regular check-ups at their dentist to maintain good oral health.”