The more often we have sugary food and drinks, the more damage is done to the tooth.
We should have sugary food and drinks less often and in a smaller amount.
These sugar-containing food and drinks should also only be eaten with a meal, rather than a snack between meals.
Try to have sugar-free snacks between meals such as cheese, raw vegetables, nuts or breadsticks. It's also important to remember that 'sugar-free' versions of fizzy drinks, are still very acidic and therefore can dental erosion. Acidic foods and drinks include:
- orange juice
- citrus fruits
- pickles
- fizzy drinks
- alcohol
Foods and drinks which can help balance the acid effect include water, milk and cheese. Chewing sugar free gum after meals can help too.
Following the Eatwell Guide helps you with a healthy diet. The top tips are:
- eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily
- base meals around carbohydrates such as potatoes, bread, rice and pasta (preferably wholegrain)
- have dairy or dairy alternatives, opting for lower sugar options
- eat beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins
- choose unsaturated oils and spreads, and eat in small amounts
- drink 6 to 8 cups of fluid daily (water, plain milk)
- if you have high fat, salt or sugar foods and drinks then eat these less often and in small amounts
Energy drinks
Energy drinks and sports drinks are not good for our teeth or the rest of our body. Some of them can contain between 14 and 21 teaspoons of sugar!
They can be helpful for sports performance, but you really don't need it for day-to-day activities like walking to school or sitting in a classroom all day.
You can get energy from healthy snacks such as bananas or certain nuts and seeds instead of swigging down sugary drinks.
Energy drinks and sports drinks are also very acidic which can cause tooth decay and dental erosion.
There are sugar free energy drinks, but again, these are still very acidic and can still harm our teeth.
They also contain caffeine which can increase heart rate and blood pressure, as well as make it difficult to sleep.