What Are The Worst Foods For Your Teeth? 21 February 202422 October 2022Most people are aware that exercise plays an important role in keeping them healthy, but did you know that your diet is vital due to the impact on your general well being and your dental health? Here are the foods that are the worst for your teeth.1. Sugary SweetsWhen you eat sugar, the bacteria in your plaque starts to breakdown the sugar into acid. This acid is harmful to your enamel and starts to dissolve it, creating cavities in your teeth. Sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time, such as hard boiled sweets, make it harder for your saliva to wash away the sugar.2. Soft DrinksSoft drinks, whether they are fizzy or not, contain acid, which is harmful to the enamel on your teeth. The enamel is the hard outer layer of your teeth. Try drinking water instead to help protect your teeth from decay.3. WineRed and white wine contains acid which softens your enamel, causing your teeth to look yellow. Red wine contains compounds that stain your teeth. Risks associated with drinking wine, including risks to your health, can be minimized by drinking it in moderation. To help minimize the risks try drinking water after your wine to neutralise the acid.4. Citrus FruitsFruits are an important part of a well balanced diet. However, when you eat a lot of citrus fruits, the citric acid can wear down your enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable to decay. Examples of citrus fruits include limes, lemons, grapefruit and oranges. When drinking fruit juices, try to use a straw to reduce the contact with your teeth.5. Sports DrinksSports drinks are harmful to your teeth due to their high sugar content and acidity. The acid causes your enamel to become weakened making the teeth more susceptible to decay. The high sugar content encourages bacterial growth on your teeth, further promoting cavities.6. Dried FruitsDried fruits such as raisins and apricots contain highly concentrated sugar and consuming them regularly can lead to tooth decay. Instead try snacking on tooth friendly foods, such as nuts, cheeses and non acidic fruits and vegetables.If you need any further advice, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@newbydental.co.uk.
Hidden Sugar Found In Everyday Food 14 February 20246 September 2022Every time we eat something sugary, the plaque on our teeth interacts with the sugar, creating acid which is harmful to your teeth, causing tooth decay.Here are some foods that we eat often that contain more sugar than you would expect.Salad DressingGetting your greens from a salad is essential for diet and nutrition but you should be careful of the salad dressings you are using. Sweet French dressings can have up to seven grams of sugar in one serving. Look out for ingredients such as dextrose, honey, glucose, and maltose which are just variations of sugar.Soups And SaucesAlthough they are savoury foods, many store bought pasta sauces have between 6 and 12 grams of sugar per serving.Vegetable soups and pasta sauces that contain tomatoes can also be acid and lead to enamel erosion and dental decay when consumed regularly. It is recommended that you rinse your mouth out with water after eating to reduce the damage.Breakfast SmoothiesFruit’s natural sugar, fructose, is a common cause of cavities as the bacteria in the mouth feed on it. Fruit and vegetable juices also tend to be extremely acidic which can cause severe damage to the enamel on your teeth. Although fruit and vegetables are considered as healthy, this is when they are considered whole and not as a concentrated juice. Adding milk to your smoothies can help to counteract the acid damage to the teeth. It is also advisable to drink through a straw.Breakfast Bars And YoghurtsAlthough they can be a quick and easy breakfast option, processed foods contain a lot of sugar. Plain yoghurts contain naturally occurring sugars, but often the fruity ones add lots of sugar to enhance and sweeten the flavour.Energy and granola bars can be very deceiving as to the amount of sugar they contain. They are often advertised as the healthy option when this is not always the case.BreadDepending on the type of bread you buy, it can contain a lot of sugar. White bread contains the most sugar which is why we advise you to eat brown or wholemeal.Bread has a gummy consistency when chewed, meaning that small particles can get trapped between teeth, making it difficult to remove them.AlcoholThe excessive amount of sugar that is present in alcoholic drinks is often overlooked. However, not only is it damaging to your liver, but also your oral health.The large amount of sugar in alcohol erodes your tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay.When eating these types of foods, make sure you are checking the sugar content to ensure that you are not falling for the hidden sugars.
How Much Sugar Is Really In Your Cereal 7 February 20246 September 2022When you’re eating your cereal in the morning, you might just pick up the first box you see as you’re running out the door. However, if you knew how much sugar was in your cereal, you might take a bit more time considering how to start your day.This table shows you the guidelines we use to categorise foods into different sugar levels.High Sugar CerealsSadly, lots of family favourites fall into this category. When visiting the supermarket, try to read the nutritional values to choose the healthiest option for you and your family.Moderate Sugar CerealsThis category of cereals show the cereals that are ok to eat sometimes, but not everyday.Low Sugar CerealsThese cereals are low in sugar so they are ok to eat everyday. These are the cereals you should be encouraging your children to eat so that they get into the habit of staring off their days with a healthy meal.The main aim of this post is to try and show you the ways that you are consuming high quantities of sugar without realising it. Although some of the high sugar cereals might seem more appealing, they are much worse for your health in the long term, not only because of the impact they have on your teeth but also on the rest of your body.