Is your diet as healthy as you think? Tooth-troubling foods to be wary of
If you’re on a health drive, the chances are that you’ve read articles and blogs about healthy eating before. The worry is that there’s so much information out there, and much of it is conflicting. Diets may be good for weight loss, but are they actually good for your health? Dentists and nutritionists are worried that new diet trends are actually proving detrimental for oral and general health, with many so-called healthy foods and snacks contributing to increased rates of decay and enamel erosion.
Detoxing is a very popular trend, especially after the indulgence of the festive period, but is it actually good for you, and what risks does it pose? Drinking hot water with lemon is one of the most common habits people adopt to try and cleanse their bodies of toxins. Water is brilliant, but adding lemon spells trouble for your teeth. Although lemon may make the water taste more appealing, its acidic properties are harmful for your teeth. Acids wear away the enamel, increasing the risk of erosion and subsequently putting you at risk of sensitivity and cavities. Nutritionist Shona Wilkinson recommends using a straw when drinking or leaving the lemon out altogether.
A recent report release by the Royal College of Surgeons suggested a significant increase in the number of children having teeth extracted in hospital over the course of the last decade. The most significant contributor to rising rates of decay is diet, and it’s not just those parents who give their children sweets and fizzy drinks that have come under fire. ‘Healthy’ products, such as dried fruit, fruit juice and smoothies have also been condemned by dentists and nutritionists. Shop-bought products often contain as much or even more sugar as treats like biscuits and pop, and parents are being duped into thinking that what they’re giving their children is a healthy alternative. Dentist, Dr Sameer Patel, recommends using a straw when you drink, making homemade smoothies and always following a drink of juice with a glass of water.
