revealed that nine in 10 NHS dental practices around the UK were not accepting new adult patients for treatment. And according to the BDA, more than 12 million people were unable to access NHS dental care last year, a figure that amounts to more than one in four adults in England.
, there are other things we can eat – and avoid – for healthier teeth and gums. We spoke to the experts to find out the small changes you can make to keep the dentist from your door for longer.“Life is great. Cheese makes it better,” said cosy-crime author Avery Aames. Were truer words spoken? If, like many people, you don’t need a reason to indulge in cheese, the news that it’s actually good for your teeth may inspire elation.
“For a mouth-healthy swap, try eating fresh mango rather than dried, or grapes instead of raisins. And if you do indulge in dried fruit, it could be a good idea to rinse your mouth with water afterwards. “To avoid any negative effects to your teeth, I’d recommend drinking through a straw to limit any direct contact with the acidity. You could also rinse your mouth out with water to balance out the acidity left behind, which would help remove any lingering citrus fruit,” he says.
It may surprise you, but sparkling water isn’t the best for your teeth While sparkling or fizzy water may be a healthy alternative to sugary fizzy drinks, they’re not completely harmless. “Plain sparkling water, despite having no sugar in it, is damaging to teeth due to its acidity which can attack the enamel and cause erosion,” warns Dr Sangha.