A dentist has revealed the common foods and drink people should try to avoid eating too often as they can “erode” enamel away on the teeth and cause them to weaken.
Citrus fruits and drinks can cause the enamel on teeth to erode away, which leaves them more susceptible to tooth decay.
Dr Sahil Patel, from Marylebone Smile Clinic in London, told the Daily Express: “Certain foods and drinks can be particularly damaging to your teeth due to their high sugar content, acidity, or potential to stick to teeth and promote decay.”
Despite the health benefits of fruit, he warned that they can actually be harmful to teeth.
“While they offer nutritional benefits, citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits contain high levels of acid that can erode enamel,” Dr Patel explained.
But drinking citrus fruits through a straw can help minimise contact with teeth and help prevent the risk of wearing enamel away.
Citrus fruits and drinks have a combination of sugars and acidic that creates an environment that is hazardous to the enamel of the tooth.
The enamel becomes soft and can erode away, leading to decay and tooth loss. Once your enamel is lost, the body cannot make new enamel.
The expert also advised waiting before brushing your teeth after eating citrus fruits or juice.
He said: “If your breakfast includes acidic foods or drinks (like citrus fruits or juice), it’s best to wait at least 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth. Brushing too soon after consuming acidic foods can weaken enamel, as the acids temporarily soften it. Waiting allows saliva to naturally neutralise the acids.”
Dr Patel said: “To keep teeth looking white, you want to avoid or minimize foods and drinks that cause staining, as well as those that can damage enamel, leading to discolouration over time.”
Some of these foods, he said, include coffee and tea, red wine and curry.
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