Why healthy living could damage your teeth
In modern society, we are plagued with information, adverts and articles urging us to exercise on a regular basis and watch what we eat; however, some of the healthy activities and foods we choose may actually be harmful for oral health.
Most people know that eating lots of sugary foods damaged the teeth; however, some of the snacks that most of us would class as ‘healthy’ are actually potentially very harmful for the teeth. Acidic foods such as vinaigrette dressing and fruit teas can be damaging for the teeth because the acid attacks the enamel of the teeth, leaving it weak and susceptible to erosion and decay. Some fruit teas can be up to three times more harmful than orange juice, according to research carried out by the University of Bristol Dental School. Instead, experts recommend green tea; researchers in Japan recently found that green tea can help to reduce the risk of cavities.
Most people have a snack between meals but this can also contribute to problems for the teeth; dental experts advise people to try and stick to three meals a day, as snacking can increase the amount of acid attacks the teeth have to withstand over the course of the day and this increases the risk of erosion. If snacking is essential to keep you full until the next meal, dentists recommend healthy snacks, such as raw vegetables and wholegrain crackers and also encourage people to eat all their food in one sitting, wash it down with water and chew sugar-free gum after eating; this helps to neutralise the acid in the mouth.
Diet is extremely important for a healthy lifestyle and experts often promote healthy eating alongside regular exercise; however, a recent study has found that going for a swim on a regular basis may harm your teeth. The study, which involved 500 swimmers, found that 66 percent of them suffered from damaged teeth as a result of exposure to chlorine; chlorine affects the pH of the water, making it acidic. Swimming is a popular recreational activity for many and a great way to keep fit; dentists are aware of the health benefits of swimming and are not advising people to give up their hobby; however, they are urging people to try and close their mouth while swimming and avoid brushing their teeth for an hour after swimming, as this will give the enamel chance to return to normal.
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