With Halloween treats and bonfire toffee nestling in cupboards across the land and Christmas around the corner, now is the perfect time to think about just how your diet affects your oral health. Most of us are aware that eating sugary foods does our teeth no favours, but which foods should you be swerving in order to enjoy healthy, strong and radiant teeth?

Sugary delights

Foods that contain a large amount of sugar such as cakes, biscuits, sweets and chocolate are delicious, but they are bad news for your teeth and gums. Sugar causes the bacteria in the mouth to release harmful plaque acids that attack the protective enamel surfaces of the teeth. Once the enamel is worn it cannot be replaced and the teeth are susceptible to decay and damage. Chewy foods such as toffees are also problematic because they get stuck in the grooves of the teeth.

Acidic foods

Acidic foods can also be a nightmare for the teeth. Foods that you may think are healthy such as fruit juices, smoothies and salad dressing may also wreak havoc for your teeth because the acid can erode the enamel and make it weaker.

When to eat

In addition to the type of food you eat the times you eat can also affect your oral health. Snacking during the day spells trouble for the teeth because the enamel can only withstand so many acid attacks per day. If you do snack make sure you stick to sugar-free foods such as cheese, crackers or raw vegetables. If you plan to indulge and eat a chocolate bar or some sweets, stick to mealtimes and wait an hour to brush your teeth, as the enamel will be temporarily weaker and brushing can cause damage. For more advice on oral health please contact the team at Harley Street Dental Studio in the centre of London.