Five surprising items of food and drink that are bad for your teeth

We all know that a healthy diet is important for our overall well-being as well as our oral health. But your teeth are under acid attack for approximately an hour every time  you eat or drink something sugary. Acidic foods as well as drinks such as wine can also result in decay. The general advice is to cut down on sugary foods and drinks and have them with your meal.

Dr Uchenna Okoye, clinical director of London Smiling Dental Group and Oral-B’s smile director, lists the worst offenders:

Sports drink
“Usually sipped, meaning they are regularly swished around the mouth and are often full of sugar for plaque-causing bacteria to feed on and also contain acids that can damage our enamel.”

 

Beetroot
“One of the worst offenders for staining. Reduce this by drinking water or milk after eating it.”

Smoothies
“The high level of naturally occurring sugar and its thick consistency mean drinking one is heaven for bacteria which can lead to gum problems. They also contain a lot of fruit acids which can damage our enamel.”

Citrus fruits
“Oranges, grapefruits, etc are all very acidic, so avoid brushing your teeth 30 minutes after eating them to reduce causing enamel erosion.” [The British Dental Foundation recommends not brushing your teeth until at least one hour after eating.]

Hot drinks
It’s not just cold food that can cause teeth to be sensitive, hot drinks also cause the fluids in the holes in the dentin to expand and contract creating sensitivity. 

By Daralyn Danns

The perfect smile part two

I asked Dr Uchenna Okoye, clinical director of London Smiling Dental Group and Oral-B’s smile director, to tells us about some of the most common ways of perfecting your smile.

Dr Uchenna Okoye

Braces

“There is a big increase in wearing braces, especially as invisible braces are getting more effective. This means that I can create beautiful smiles without having to do any drilling and it is less long-term maintenance. Veneers generally need replacing after 10 years, with braces, once it is done, it stays put,” she says.

Veneers

A veneer is a thin slice of porcelain which fits over the front surface of the tooth. Some of the outer surface of the tooth may have to be removed beforehand. They are often used to treat discoloured teeth or unsightly teeth and can also be used to close small gaps between teeth.

“There are times when veneers are the only option, especially if speed is important, but the skill is in making them look natural and 'disappear'. It is one of the reasons, at the moment, I am teaching American dentists in the States, how to create more natural smiles,” says Dr Okoye.

I asked her in what situation she would recommend veneers over anything else.

“If a person’s teeth are too short e.g.if someone grinds their teeth and has worn their teeth down. I’m doing more of these as I have seen an increase in bruxing (grinding) due to more stress. They’re also good if someone is in a hurry e.g. a wedding where they have crooked teeth but no time to wear braces.

“I tailor the type of veneer to different situations e.g. the type of veneer I would use for someone who grinds their teeth needs to be stronger [than other types],” she explains.

Dr Okoye also points out that you need to have enough tooth to support them; a big filling is not a deterrent. “The only proviso is that the mouth needs to be healthy, especially no gum disease.

Crowns

A crown fits over the remaining part of a tooth like a cap, making the tooth look natural. Crowns encase the entire visible part of the tooth. These are used to restore the tooth to original shape when it is broken or weakened by decay or large fillings. Your dentist will advise what is right for you. Dental implants could provide the solution if you lose a tooth or all of your teeth.

When are crowns better than veneers? “If the teeth are very broken down,” says Dr Okoye. “In the same way that you use a thimble over your thumb to protect it, crowns work in the same way.”

In the current economic climate, according to Dr Okoye, people are looking for long-term solutions that are cost effective. “This can range from investing in braces to maintaining the existing colour with whitening toothpaste.”

Dental implants

Dental implants could provide the solution if you lose a tooth or all of your teeth. 

Oral-B  TriZone 5000, £199

Looking after your teeth

Plaque is the major cause of tooth decay and gum disease so ensure you floss once a day and brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste as it helps fight decay. Change your toothbrush every three months. 

Whether to use a manual or electric toothbrush is down to personal preference. My favourite is Oral-B Professional Care Triumph Toothbrush 5000 with wireless SmartGuide (£199.99). I use the Precision Clean brush. If you are using a manual brush and want to try an electric try the new The Oral-B TriZone brush head.

By Daralyn Danns