Our blog

Cutting down on sugar is one of the best things you can do for your teeth and your general health. You don't need to give up everything you enjoy. Small, realistic swaps add up.

Why sugar affects your teeth

When you have sugary food or drink, bacteria in plaque produce acid that attacks the enamel. Each time you have sugar, your teeth are under attack for a while afterwards. That is why how often you have sugar matters as much as how much. Keeping sugary food and drink to mealtimes, rather than grazing through the day, gives your teeth time to recover.

Our top five swaps

1. Swap juice and fizzy drinks for water or milk. Fruit juice and smoothies contain free sugars and are acidic. The NHS advises no more than 150ml of fruit juice or smoothie a day, ideally with a meal. Water and plain milk are the most tooth-friendly drinks.
2. Start the day with a lower-sugar breakfast. Many cereals are high in sugar. Try plain porridge, wholegrain cereal with no added sugar, or eggs on wholemeal toast. Add sliced fruit if you want sweetness.
3. Rethink pudding. Try plain yoghurt with fresh fruit instead of a sweetened yoghurt pot or dessert, and keep sweet treats to the end of a meal rather than as a separate snack.
4. Choose savoury snacks. Cheese, plain nuts (not for young children because of the choking risk), vegetable sticks or plain popcorn are better for teeth than biscuits, sweets or cereal bars.
5. Keep temptation out of sight. If sweets and biscuits aren't in the cupboard, you are less likely to reach for them. If you have unopened treats you don't want, consider donating them to a local food bank.

Small changes add up

You don't need to make every swap at once. Pick one or two that feel realistic for you or your family, stick with them for a few weeks, then try another. Over time your taste for very sweet food often reduces.

Check the label

Sugar can appear on ingredient lists under many names, including glucose, sucrose, fructose, honey and syrups. The traffic-light labels on the front of many packs give a quick guide: more greens and fewer reds is better.

Frequently asked questions

Are dried fruit and honey better than sugar?

Not for your teeth. Dried fruit is sticky and high in sugar, and honey and syrups count as free sugars. Keep them to mealtimes.

Are sugar-free fizzy drinks safe for teeth?

They contain less sugar, but many are still acidic and can wear enamel over time. Water and plain milk are the best everyday choices.

What about children's snacks?

Many snacks marketed for children contain added sugar. Check labels and offer fruit, vegetables or plain yoghurt between meals instead.

Protect your teeth

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, including last thing at night.
• Spit, don't rinse after brushing.
• Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help increase saliva.
• Have regular check-ups so your dentist can spot early signs of decay.

For more ideas, see our guides to children's dental health and cleaning your teeth properly. Call 01926 863236 (Kenilworth) or 01789 205254 (Stratford-upon-Avon) to book a check-up.