Cough drops, gummy sweets, fizzy drinks

They are all absolutely loaded with sugar so less is more. Be sure to rinse with water and brush really well regularly. Below are the reasons why these treats are not your best friend. If any doubts, speak to your dentist or hygienist for further advice.

Just because cough drops are considered medicine, don’t forget they are full of sugar so not very good for your teeth if you don’t rinse and brush well afterwards.

Gummy sweets and gummy bears stick on the teeth for hours. The sugar in the gummies turn into acids which result in cavities. If you can’t live without gummy bears, have your sweets with meals instead of as a separate snack. When you eat meal, your mouth produces more saliva, and helps you rinse away sticky, sugary residue.

As for the soft drinks, you might be surprised to know that many of them can have up to 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving! Are diet or sugar free drinks better for your teeth? Read the label because they may have even more acid in the form of sweeteners. Hydrate with water and if you really want a fizzy drink, keep it as an occasional treat.

Be sure to brush your teeth really well after.

Crisps & binge eating

Crisps are known for their calories, not necessarily their abilities to cause cavities. The bacteria in plaque will also break down starchy foods into acid and that accelerate your decay.

Crisps and other savoury snacks are incredibly easy to binge eat. Binge eating involves consumption of excessive amounts of junk foods and sweets that are high in calories and sugars. These sugars can turn into cavities and start decaying your teeth. 

Good dietary advice from our hygienist can help you to replace snacks with healthier options or cut them out all together.

Coffee & wine

Drinking coffee is notoriously known to cause stains and discolouration of your teeth, yet people are less aware that wine consumption can be just as harmful to your smile as coffee. Wine contains acid that weakens the tooth enamel making your teeth and more prone to stains and sensitivity.

Fortunately, the staining can be reversed by using various whitening methods and seeing professional for dental hygiene. If you are noticing significant discolouration of your teeth or you are concerned in any way, talk to your dentist.

Smoking or chewing tobacco

Cigarettes and tobacco products can stain teeth, cause gum disease and periodontal disease, and even lead to decayed and lost teeth. Tobacco can also cause cancer of the mouth, lips and tongue. If you were looking for one more reason to quit, think of your smile. Talk to your dentist and hygienist about creating a plan to help you quit, it can completely change the way you look, your health and quality of life.

Bedtime bottles

Something for parents not to overlook! Giving a baby a bedtime bottle of juice or milk, can increase the risk of tooth decay. This is because the baby mouth ends up soaking in all of the sugars in the drink overnight. It’s better to leave the bottle out of the crib and swap milk to warm water instead when it comes to bedtime.

Chewing on ice cubes

Summertime is here and one might think ice is as good for you as water. It’s sugar free and hydrates you so it’s harmless right? But biting down on hard, frozen ice cubes can not only chip but sometimes even crack your teeth.

Regularly chewing on ice cubes can irritate the soft tissues inside your teeth, cause regular toothaches. Hot and cold temperature foods can often trigger sharp pains in your teeth. It is often most common with people with sensitive teeth. Switch out your ice habit with sugar free gum instead.