Fruit tea is rotting our teeth
Acidic drinks wear away enamel
FRUIT teas and water with lemon can make you 11 times more likely to suffer tooth erosion, scientists say.
Ginger, lemon, berry and rosehip flavours all have high levels of acid which rots enamel.
Salt and vinegar crisps were also highlighted as a danger.
Dr Saoirse O’Toole, of King’s College London, said: “Reducing dietary acid intake can be key to delaying progression of tooth erosion.
“It’s vitally important we address this preventable aspect of erosion.” The British Dental Journal report also found that the way a person drinks adds to the risks. It says: “Drinking acidic drinks by sipping slowly or swishing, rinsing or holding them in the mouth before swallowing will increase the risk of progression.” But erosion rates half when fruit teas are drunk with meals. Unlike decay which forms cavities, erosion affects the whole tooth surface. It hits 30% of adults in Europe.