Four foods that could dull your grin

A set of dazzling pearly whites is the best accessory we can have but consuming certain foods and beverages in excess can do more harm than good to our teeth. Products high in sugar or starch, especially when consumed regularly or excessively, can create optimal breeding grounds for plaque build-up. Here are four foods to be mindful of:

1. Potato Chips
While they make our
taste buds happy, beware of foods that go 'crunch'. Potato chips are made of starch that tends to hide in between our teeth and carbs that linger are an open invitation for bacterial growth.

2. Fizzy drinks, sports & energy drinks
While soft drinks are a somewhat obvious offender, not many people realise that sports and energy drinks also contain sugar. The combination  of sugar, carbonation and acids can cause damage to our pearler.


Photo courtesy of Lily & Louis

3.Dried/Pickled fruit or veges
The longer a sugary or acidic item stays in your mouth the more damage it does. Even though its natural, the sugar content combined with the sticky texture of dried fruit in particular means it clings to our teeth, overstaying its welcome.

4. Citrus fruits and juices
While being rich in vitamin C, proceed with caution as fruit that is high in natural sugars and acids, such as lemon or oranges, can erode our tooth enamel over time. Moderation is key!

EXPERT TIP
"The key is to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. I would recommend using Grin 100% natural Kiwi made toothpaste after every meal or at least three times a day" - Dr Tony Mutukumira, Massey University | Senior Lecturer