Dentist reveals how your favourite breakfast could be harming your teeth
YOUR favourite breakfast could be doing serious damage to your teeth, a dentist has warned.
Cereals, pastries, fruit juices, smoothies, tea and coffee can all wreak havoc on our oral health – especially when consumed in the morning.
It’s all down to their high sugar content, acidity and staining properties, according to Dr Jon Hewitt, principal dentist at Smmmile in Leeds.
He said: “I advise my patients to avoid consuming food and drink that contains high levels of sugar and acidic levels, which includes popular breakfast choices such as cereal, pastries and juices.
“When we eat or drink acidic products such as orange juice, our tooth enamel becomes temporarily softened, leaving our teeth more vulnerable to damage and erosion.
“Acidic foods and drinks reduce the pH balance of the mouth and initiate the acidic tooth surface loss.
“It takes a staggering 45 minutes for the mouth to get back to a neutral pH level after having an acidic drink.”
If you do like a glass of fresh OJ first thing, Dr Hewitt recommends drinking it all in one go, rather than sipping it slowly.
“This reduces the time the liquid spends sitting on your teeth,” he added.
The dentist also advised against brushing your teeth straight after eating or drinking anything acidic as this could “potentially damage the softened enamel”.
Instead, he reckons it’s best to brush them as soon as your alarm goes off.
“It’s quite common for our teeth to feel ‘fuzzy’ when we first wake up in the morning,” he said.
“That’s because our mouths are a breeding ground for bacteria when we sleep, which is perfect for plaque to build up throughout the night.
“It’s important that we remove this as soon as possible, and preferably before breakfast, as sugar reacts with the plaque and instigates the tooth decaying process.
“My advice is to always brush your teeth for two minutes with an electric toothbrush before having anything to eat or drink to reduce the chance of tooth decay.”
As well as steering clear of cereals, pastries, juices and smoothies, people should also limit their tea and coffee intake, Dr Hewitt said.
Both can potentially cause your teeth harm, particularly if gulped down daily.
Dr Hewitt said: “Most people love a good cuppa at breakfast time.
“However, many are unaware of the impact tea and coffee can have on our teeth.
“In fact, coffee is one of the worst offenders for staining our teeth.
“The dark colour can erode the enamel, causing discolouration over time.
“It’s therefore best to consume both of these drinks in moderation, and consider using a straw to minimise exposure to your teeth.”
So if you’re now scratching your head wondering what’s safe to scoff for breakfast, the expert has your back.
He said: “Some foods that I recommend eating at breakfast are plain yoghurt, cheese and milk.
“These are great options because they have no added sugar and are high in calcium and protein.
“This makes it great for the strength and health of your teeth and gums.”