Dental decay, erosion and gum disease are serious and costly health burdens – but also preventable. We touched on this issue in one of our previous blogs; explaining that the cause of these problems may not simply be that you don’t floss your teeth religiously or that you have an occasional chocolate bar.
After some research into teeth erosion and decay, it is evident that even some food and drinks, which are considered “healthy” can be more harmful than some sugary snacks and desserts.
As we know sugar feeds the bacteria in the mouth that causes tooth decay but did you know acidity can be just as harmful by gradually eroding away the tooth’s hard, protective enamel. Removing the tooths natural contour, or prematurely exposing the dentine which causes uncomfortable sensitivity or leaving the tooth more susceptible to decay.
A study compared the sugar content and acidity levels of 86 processed food and drinks that are readily available at supermarkets and used as popular lunchbox snacks for children at school.
The study shows soft drinks are the worst beverage as they have a high sugar content, 600ml = 13 teaspoons of sugar, as well as acidity levels. Some also contain caffeine, which can dry out the mouth.
It also shows that Cottee’s Lemon Crush Fruit Juice Cordial has the same level of acid as sugar free carbonated soft drinks such as Pepsi Max. What’s surprising is that Glaceau Vitamin Water has a higher pH score than even energy drinks or V Energy Sugar Free.
With breakfast drinks scoring the lowest, it is recommended that high sugar and acid drinks should be limited to mealtimes and water is the best option for everything in between.
It is alarming that lunchbox favourites are the worst among acidity scores in food with Uncle Tobys Fruit Strap Roll-Ups, IXL Strawberry Jam spread and SPC Fruit Sorbet lunchbox snack ranking in the top 4. With MuesliBars and Flavoured Yoghurt somewhere in the middle, Breakfast Cereal and Bars are the best choice with a very little pH score.
Role of your SALIVA
- Saliva acts as a buffer against erosion and dietary carbohydrates and is the body’s most important protection against decay as it has neutralizing powers and is anti-microbial. Salvia lubricates the mouth, controls the oral environment and washes away food debris that if trapped will allow plaque to soften or even dissolve enamel and cause caries.
- As salvia is stimulated by eating and chewing, if you replace having those foods for snacks and limit starchy or sugary food and drinks to meal times this will not only stop constant sugar attacks but increase salvia production while at the same time help neutralize the acidity levels.
- Sugar free chewing gum in between meal times is also recommended as it increases calcium and bicarbonate levels in the salvia helping to keep teeth healthy.
If you have any more questions or would like to bring in your family for a check up or dietary advice, Healthy Smiles Dental Group will be happy to care for you.
Please feel free to call our office today on 03 9877 2035 or contact us through our website at your convenience.
More information can be found on the Australian Dental Association website on www.ada.org.au
I am very amazed with all the truths created here. I can boldly say that I can connect to this as well. I wish others would take the time to read this as well as I did.
Excellent post as usual, thanks!
Keep up the great articles. I really like reading what you have to say. Thanks.
In my offered opnion that even though it was undoubtedly a coherent article I think that there were still points to be explained. I would like to hear your thoughts..and that of your other readers and whether or not they confirm this. Cheers
Site owner, I think possibly your web server stopped working yesterday because I came across this page through Yahoo and all I saw was a failure page. I would email your hosting provider to make sure that it doesnt do it again as your losing visitors. I was using IE 8 browser if that helps.
In my personal opnion that even though it was undoubtedly a coherent article I have personally come to the conclusion that there were still points to be improved. I would like to hear your thoughts..and that of your other readers and whether or not they have decided the same themselves. Cheers
Just desire to say what a great blog you got here! I’ve been around quite lots of time, but finally decided to show my appreciation of your work! Well done, and all the best! Kind regards
Fantastic blog! I genuinely love how it’s easy on my eyes as well as the info are well written. I am wondering how I can be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which really should do the trick! Have a nice day!
wow.great
Thank you for this very informative article, I wish you much success in all you do. Noah
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post
This is my first time I visit your site and honestly, your site are great site with contain a lot of articles or information that I have never know before this. I will subscribe and bookmark you blog/site because after this, it easier for me to come back and read new information that you post. Lastly, what can I said is continue writing on your site because I know this site have a good and great future. Keep it up!! Good work.. Thanks.
I feel lucky to visit your site.
I’m having some difficulty trying to load your blog. I have read it many times before and never gotten something like this, but now when I try to load something it just takes a little while (4-11 minutes ) and then just stops. I’ve tried with www or not. Does anyone know what the problem could be?
This is a good blog. Keep up all the work. I too love blogging and expressing my opinions. Thanks 🙂
Saved your site. Appreciation for discussing. Surely well worth time clear of my personal tests.
Thank you everyone for your comments! I’m so glad it has given you all something to take from it.
I been wanting to let you know, u r totally on. I landed on your website from another blog and am totally fascinated by this category and learning about this. Do you mind if I link to this site from my subscribers group?
This is my first time visiting your blog. I do envy you since you seem to get a lot more comments then I do. Do you have any secret tips on how I can get more comments or do I just have to be paitent? Anyway, keep up the good work.
Great site! Thanks for sharing
Just wanna commentabout this article, after reading whole of this it make me to have new thinking about one big event, hope I can read more great news again from you so I subscribe your website.
Hey can I use some of the information here in this post if I provide a link back to your site?
Thank you for another great article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.
This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article
i personaly feel you got this story right
that’s good article
thanks !! quite helpful post!
Well done. I am astounded with the quality of the details offered. I expect that you keep up with the fantastic job succesfully done.
I think you have mentioned some very interesting details , regards for the post.
wonderful publish, very informative. I wonder why the opposite experts of this sector do not understand this. You should proceed your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!