It’s not always easy to stay healthy during long, busy days at the office – and a dental expert has revealed that the snacks you eat could be causing long-term damage to your teeth.
Dental expert Dr Khaled Kasem, chief orthodontist at Impress in Londonsaid that not only do certain foods have a greater effect on your teeth than you think, but they can also contribute to tooth decay.
Speaking about oral hygiene, he told FEMAIL: “Maintaining good dental hygiene depends on aligning the teeth to avoid gaps that would otherwise be easily accessible.
“In today’s busy lifestyle, the best way to align them while maintaining good oral health is through treatment with clear aligners.
“Next time you’re in the break room and grabbing sandwiches, think about your pearly whites and opt for veggies instead, or make sure you brush your teeth after eating. Your teeth and overall health will thank you for it in the long run.
Dr Khaled Kasem, lead orthodontist at Impress in London, has listed the worst office snack offenders, along with healthier alternatives to try instead (Pictured: Stock image of two colleagues enjoying a cup of tea)
Dr. Khaled listed the worst office snack offenders, along with some healthier alternatives to try.
Here we reveal six practical office snacks that could rot your teeth….
1. Tea
The words “make us a cup of tea” are heard in most workplaces across the country.
When you’re faced with a stressful workload, there’s nothing like a cup of hot or iced tea to soothe your nerves.
If you tend to drink several cups throughout the day, you may be surprised to learn that too much tea can have a negative impact on your oral health.
Our expert explains: “Breakfast teas and coffee end up causing stains, and lemon or honey added to herbal teas can cause enamel erosion.
“It’s even more likely if you wear aligners.” Remember to remove them before drinking your tea, and to rinse and clean your mouth well before putting them back.
“Replace your tea and coffee with sugar-free or unsweetened teas to protect your pearly whites.”
2. Oat milk
Considered a lifesaver by people with allergies or dietary needs, oat milk is particularly pesky on the list.
Dr. Khaled warns that oat milk does not contain the cavity-protecting ingredients found in regular whole milk.
“If oat milk is a necessary substitute for you, then be sure to make up for the protein and vitamins you’ll be missing,” he said.
Make sure you opt for pharmacist-approved supplements.
3. Birthday cake
We are sorry for the party and inform you that birthday cake is not good for your teeth.
This might not be the best news if you have a birthday celebrant in your office every week.
Dr Khaled added: “The sticky plaque on your teeth feeds on the sugar in the cake icing, creating acid which eventually causes cavities.
“Next time you decide to treat yourself, quickly brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after eating to remove any leftovers and keep plaque away from that sugary snack.”
5. Dried fruits
The health benefits of dried fruits have long been a source of debate since the dawn of time and while some lobby for them, others claim they are packed with sugar.
Our expert explained that dried fruits are usually saturated with sugar to preserve them, so it’s best to replace them with whole fruits.
Fresh fruit is also great for improving your breath because it eliminates odor-causing bacteria in your mouth.
6. Bananas
When it comes to fresh fruit, things are going to get very tricky.
Although bananas contain a myriad of nutrients and vitamins, they have a high sugar content and are high in glucose, fructose and sucrose.
Sucrose, glucose, and fructose are types of sugar found primarily in fruits and vegetables, but can also be added to processed foods.
Dr Khaled added: ‘In small doses, bananas are perfectly fine, but be sure to brush and rinse your teeth after consuming to remove any food residue that could break down into sugars and cause problems. oral health”.
