I’m a dental expert and these are the 5 office snacks which can rot your teeth

It’s not always easy to stay healthy during long and busy days at the office – and now a dental expert has revealed that the snacks you reach for could be causing long-term damage to your teeth.

Dental expert Dr. Khaled Kasem, head orthodontist at Impress in Londonsays that certain foods not only have a bigger effect on your teeth than you think, but they can also contribute to the onset of tooth decay.

Speaking about dental hygiene, he told FEMAIL: “Maintaining good oral hygiene depends on having aligned teeth to avoid gaps that are otherwise easily accessible.

‘In today’s busy lifestyles, the best way to align them while maintaining good oral health is with treatment with a clear aligner.

“The next time you go to the break room and grab a sandwich, think about your pearly whites and opt for vegetables instead, or make sure you brush your teeth thoroughly after eating.” Your teeth and your overall health will thank you for it in the long run.

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Dr. Khaled has rounded up the worst offenders when it comes to office snacks, as well as healthier alternatives to try.

Here we reveal six handy office snacks that could rot your teeth…

1. Tea

The words ‘make us a cup of tea’ can be heard in most workplaces across the country.

When you’re faced with a stressful workload, there’s nothing better than a cup of steaming hot or iced tea to soothe your nerves.

If you tend to drink several mugs throughout the day, you may be surprised to know that too much tea can negatively impact your oral health.

Our expert explained: ‘Breakfast tea and coffee eventually cause stains, and lemon or honey added to herbal teas can cause enamel erosion.

‘This is even more likely if you wear aligners. Remember to take them out before drinking your tea, and rinse and clean your mouth thoroughly before putting them back.

‘Swap your tea and coffee for sugar-free or unsweetened tea to protect your pearly whites.’

2. Oat milk

Oat milk is considered a lifesaver by people with allergies or dietary requirements and is especially on the list.

Dr. Khaled warns that oat milk lacks the cavity-protecting ingredients found in regular whole milk.

“If oat milk is a necessary replacement for you, make sure you make up for the protein and vitamins you’re missing,” he said.

Make sure you opt for pharmacist-approved supplements.

3. Birthday cake

We’re sorry to be the party poopers and we have to 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 the office every week.

Dr. Khaled added, “The sticky plaque on your teeth feeds on the sugar in the cake frosting, creating acid that eventually causes decay.

‘The next time you decide to indulge, brush your teeth quickly or rinse your mouth after consuming to wash away any residue and keep plaque at bay from this sweet snack.

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5. Dried fruits

The health benefits of dried fruit have been a source of debate since the beginning of time and while some lobby for it, others claim it is packed with sugar.

Our expert explained that dried fruit is usually saturated with sugar to preserve it, so it’s best to replace this with whole fruit.

Fresh fruit is also great for improving your breath because it removes odor-producing bacteria in your mouth.

6. Bananas

On the topic of fresh fruit, things are about to get very tricky.

Although bananas contain a large number 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 that are mainly found in fruits and vegetables, but can also be added to processed foods.

Dr. Khaled added: ‘In small doses, bananas are fine, but make sure you brush and rinse your teeth after consuming them to flush out any food particles that can break down into sugars and cause oral health problems.’