The ‘ healthy’ f

Dr SAMEER PATEL outlines the dental dangers of green smoothies and suggests other tooth- friendly snacks

Half of Hollywood have replaced their morning coffee with green smoothies yet even though adding green veg such as kale and spinach to your breakfast is a great source of fibre, vitamins and minerals, blended fruit and vegetables, especially fruit, tends to have a high acid content which severely damages the enamel of your teeth in a similar way to fizzy drinks.

Although acids in fruit and vegetables are considered healthy, this is only true when fruit are consumed whole, rather than as a concentrated juice.

Fruit’s natural sugar, fructose, is also a common cause of cavities as the bacteria in the mouth feed on it, so be careful when you do include juice as part of a balanced diet.

Make sure you drink through a straw and wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after a green smoothie, as brushing too soon can damage enamel weakened by the acidic drink. The popular wholegrain snack has gone from cinema treat to superfood with a variety of exotic- sounding flavours such as maple syrup and chilli and lime.

However popcorn is not quite so nice to your teeth and if you take a bite into one of those un- cracked kernels there’s a high risk of cracking a tooth. It’s also practically impossible not to get popcorn stuck and if those tiny bits become lodged between teeth it can lead to infection.

Ensure you are flossing at least two to three times a week to remove bacteria and dislodge trapped food. This root vegetable may be rich in fibre, calcium and vitamins A and B but it is also one of the worst offenders for teeth staining. Beet juice is dark red in colour and can dull the colour of your gnashers over time leaving nasty dark stains.

Consume in moderation and swill your mouth out with water.

Compare your pearly whites to a white shirt. Anything that would stain the shirt will usually have a similar effect on teeth. With so many celebrities endorsing this healthy citrus fruit it’s hard to believe that grapefruit can actually do a lot of damage to your teeth.

Yet as with sweets, sour foods contain a high level of citric acid that contains the same pH level as the acid in your stomach. The acidity from these citrus fruits causes the enamel of your teeth to erode and tooth decay can follow.

Acid erosion can increase teeth sensitivity and when eaten often, citrus fruits can contribute to plaque and decay. I recommend chewing sugar- free gum after consumption to rehydrate the mouth. While drinking a glass of hot water and lemon may be a fashionable way to start your day, the reality is that the combination can wreak havoc with your teeth.

For, though lemon may be a good source of vitamin C the acidity can lead to dental erosion and the softening and wearing away of enamel.

Heat from the drink can also exacerbate this effect. Here are some suggestions for more tooth- friendly snacks: Packed full of goodness, almonds make the ideal tooth- kind snack.

Unlike other nuts, almonds are incredibly low in sugar and also