‘Fruit teas harm teeth’

DRINKING fruit teas and even just hot water with lemon between meals can leave people up to 11 times more likely to suffer from tooth erosion, scientists have found.

Salt and vinegar crisps are also among problem foods which contain high levels of acid that can wear away teeth, a team from King’s College London discovered.

Their investigation, published in the British Dental Journal, also found it’s not just what you eat, but how and when you eat it, that contributes to the risk.

While their data review found that increased consumption between meals was the biggest risk factor, it noted: “However, habitually drinking acidic drinks by sipping them slowly or swishing, rinsing or holding acidic drinks in the mouth prior to swallowing will also increase risk of progression”.

The study also found sugarfree soft drinks are as erosive as sugar-sweetened ones, and sweets or lozenges have large erosive potential.

The researchers have suggested the increase in patients with tooth erosion may be linked to increased snacking.

Lead author Dr Saoirse O’Toole said: “Our study has shown the impact of the way in which acidic food and drinks are consumed.

“With erosive tooth wear increasing, it is vitally important that we address this preventable aspect of erosive tooth wear.

“Reducing dietary acid intake can be key to delaying tooth erosion. While behaviour change can be difficult, specific, targeted behavioural interventions may prove successful.”

Drinking acids like cider vinegar has been promoted as a weight loss method.

Among the fruit teas, those with high levels of acid included ginger and lemon, berry and rosehip flavours.

The rate of erosion was halved when drinks were consumed with meals. Please post me free & without obligation full details of the Alta2 Pro hearing aid. Tick if pensioner.