What types of food put us at most risk of decay?
The snacks that contain processed sugars and carbohydrates that are easily fermented (used as an energy source by bacteria) put us at a higher risk of decay. This includes almost every sweetened food or drink we buy at supermarkets. The higher the sugar content, the more available carbohydrate for bacteria to grow and the longer our teeth remain in critical pH. Also foods that are sticky such as toffee or caramels can adhere to surfaces of teeth. They are difficult to flush away by saliva and provide a constant food source for bacteria. Fizzy drinks also put you at high risk for decay. Not only are they heavily sweetened, they are highly carbonated making them acidic. This causes initial stripping of the minerals from our teeth, giving the bacteria an easier job to cause decay with their own acids. Compared to water which has a neutral pH of 7, Coca-cola with an acidic pH of 2.4 is over 10,000 times more acidic!! Our dentists and hygienist have the training and experience to recognise
