As well as correct brushing and flossing and regular dental checks, the following dietary measures can help minimise tooth decay and erosion:

• Eat sugary foods less often, particularly those of a sticky or chewable nature. Remember that dried fruits can provide sugar and a sticky surface on teeth that encourage bacterial growth and acid production.
• Limit snacking of any foods, and therefore the amount of time your teeth are exposed to a bacteria-friendly environment.
• Choose raw vegetables, wholemeal bread, unsweetened yoghurt or cheese as snacks.
• Avoid sugary or acidic drinks between meals. Water or milk are the best options.
• If you do have sweets, eat them all at once. Avoid ‘grazing’ over extended periods. For example have a whole chocolate bar in one go rather than constantly dipping in to a bag of sweets.
• End a meal with milk or cheese to help neutralise the acid.
• Leave a gap of one to two hours each time you eat or drink to allow remineralisation to occur
• Don’t have anything except water after you’ve brushed your teeth at night – less saliva is produced at night.
• Don’t brush your teeth immediately after eating acidic foods or drinks. If teeth are brushed when in a demineralised state, a layer of tooth enamel or dentine may also be removed
• Drink through a straw. Liquids sucked through a straw have less contact with teeth and are less damaging than those consumed from a glass.
• Chew sugar-free gum after a meal to help produce more saliva to neutralise the acid.

(Courtesy BBC Health)

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