Swap sweet for savoury during Lockdown

Tooth decay is one of the leading causes of dental pain. An occasional treat a couple of times per week is acceptable, however consider more savoury alternatives e.g. peanut butter on toast instead of jam or chocolate.

10 a day keeps the doctor away!

Traditionally five portions of fruit and vegetables a day has been recommended to improve our immune system and protect against disease. Now scientists are recommending 10 portions per day to achieve the ultimate health benefits. Researchers at Imperial College London found that doing so can decrease the risk of heart disease by 28% and the risk of cancer by 13%. We advise consuming as many different types of fruit and vegetables to get a wide range of nutrients. Smoothies and soups are a creative and useful way of cramming in as many goodies per day! With the threat of COVID-19 we want our immune systems to be as strong as possible.

Reduce the harmful effects of acid erosion

A healthy diet of fruit and vegetables can be quite acidic. Acid interacts with dental enamel and softens it resulting in ‘erosion’ which can cause sensitivity and can affect dental cosmetics. Researches at Kings College London found the following:

• Reduced frequency of acid consumption reduced the risk of harmful erosion.
• Timing: Consumption of acidic fruits at mealtime did not increase the risk of erosion. The timing of our acidic intake is therefore important and we would advise to consume fruit during meal times rather than snacking throughout the day. Unfortunately, fruit juices will always increase the risk of erosion, although less so if consumed with meals.

Avoid swishing or swirling acidic drinks as this increases the risk of acid erosion. Also, there is some evidence that drinking through a non-plastic straw may be beneficial in reducing the risk of erosion but only if placed towards the back of the palate.