TOOTH TRUTHS

TWEAKS to dental hygiene that could make a difference. This week: drink milk at mealtimes

ALTHOUGH a good source of vitamins and protein, milk and milk-based drinks should only be drunk at mealtimes. This is because lactose — the sugar found in milk — can damage the teeth, says Oga Eze, a dentist based in Essex.

‘That’s why you shouldn’t leave milk by a child’s bed at night — if they drink it constantly the sugar can cause decay over time.

‘After you’ve brushed your teeth at night, you should drink nothing other than water. And even then, only do so about 30 minutes after brushing, to avoid rinsing off the enamel-boosting fluoride from the toothpaste,’ she adds.