Dental Charity Issues Snacking Warning
The UK’s leading dental charity has issued a warning over the increasing popularity of snacking. Changes in work patterns and sedentary lifestyles mean that more and more graze throughout the day, putting their oral health at risk.
The British Dental Health Foundation has issued a warning over this grazing and experts claim that the frequency of eating is actually more important than the foods you eat. This is because when you eat, the bacteria in the mouth release plaque acids, which attack and erode the protective tooth enamel. The enamel can only withstand a limited number of acid attacks per day and there should be intervals between eating for the enamel to recover. Snacking means that the teeth are under constant attack.
A study also showed that many people are unaware of the dangers of snacking and many did not know which foods were harmful for oral health, with many saying that snacking on fruit and dried fruit during the day was fine for the teeth. Fruit is a healthy choice, but it contains natural sugars and can be acidic and therefore it should only be eaten at mealtimes when the enamel is already under attack.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said that it is worrying that so many people are still unaware of the implications of their diet and eating habits on their mouth. He added that it is very important that people are aware that eating during the day can harm the teeth.
In recent years, more have people have swapped the traditional three meals per day for a series of snacks and small meals throughout the day and this is disastrous news for the teeth and gums.
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