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
Energy drinks are both sugary and acidic[/caption]
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.
“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
The starch on crisps can cling to your teeth and feed plaque[/caption]
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
Sugar can slowly dissolve the enamel on your teeth[/caption]
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
Pre-made meals often contain a high-level of additives and sugar[/caption]
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.
How ultra processed is YOUR kitchen?
Ultra processed foods (UPFs) were defined by Brazilian researchers who made the NOVA classification system. It breaks foods into groups depending on how processed they are. The most natural foods are in group 1, while the most processed are in group 4.
The groups do not entirely indicate how healthy a food is. However, it does indicate how processed it is – and studies have linked UPFs to a number of diseases.
How does your kitchen compare to the following groups?
Unprocessed or minimally processed foods (group 1)
- vegetables and fruits (fresh or frozen)
- dried fruits with no added sugar, honey, or oil
- grains and legumes (chickpeas, lentils)
- meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs
- milk without added sugar
- plain yogurt with no added sugar
- nuts and seeds
- spices and herbs
- tea, coffee, water
Processed culinary ingredients (group 2)
- iodized salt
- salted butter
- sugar and molasses from cane or beet
- honey extracted from combs
- syrup from maple trees
- vegetable oils crushed from olives or seeds
- butter and lard from milk and pork
- starches extracted from corn and other plants
- vegetable oils with added anti-oxidants
- vinegar with added preservatives
Processed foods (group 3)
- canned vegetables, fruits, and legumes
- fruits in syrup
- salted or sugared nuts and seeds
- salted cured or smoked meats
- canned fish
- artisanal breads and cheese
Ultra-processed foods (group 4)
- pop and fruit drinks
- sweetened yogurt
- sweet or savoury packaged snacks (e.g., cookies)
- candies and cake mixes
- mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads
- breakfast cereals
- cereal and energy bars
- energy drinks
- instant soups, sauces, and noodles
- poultry and fish nuggets, hot dogs
- many ready-to-heat products: pre-prepared pies, pasta, and pizza dishes
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.”
Dr Whitley’s oral health tips
Dr Whitley had two takeaways she wanted people to keep in mind.
1. If you’re getting cavities, it’s a sign to cut back on treats
And if you really can’t resist sweets, try and have them in limited amounts.
Dr Whitley said: “If your children have a naturally sweet tooth, try to allow them to enjoy sugar in balance and opt for unprocessed forms of sugar where possible.
“If you find that they usually reach for sweets, try switching them out for dark chocolate and enjoy it in moderation to maintain a healthy smile.”
2. Always wait for at least an hour before brushing your teeth
Dr Whitley said: “If you’re enjoying sweet, starchy, processed foods or a glass of wine, I’d advise that you wait for one hour before brushing your teeth.
“Because sugar is high in acidity, their enamel will temporarily be softened. If you brush your teeth too soon after consuming sugar then you’ll spread the acid around and could cause damage to their enamel, which is crucial in shielding your teeth from damage and staining.”
