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

• Dental expert Dr Khaled Kasem suggests swapping dried fruit for vegetables
• READ MORE: Doctors debunk myth that too much whole fruit is bad for you 

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

Dental expert Dr Khaled Kasem, Chief Orthodontist at Impress in London, said not only do certain foods have a greater effect on your teeth than you realise, but they can also contribute to dental cavities. 

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

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

‘Next time you hit the break room and reach for sandwiches, think about your pearly whites and opt for vegetables instead, or make sure to thoroughly brush after eating. Your teeth and your overall health will thank you for it in the long run’.

Dr Khaled Kasem, Chief Orthodontist at Impress in London, has broken down the worst offenders for office snacks, as well as healthier alternatives to try out instead (Pictured: Stock image of two colleagues enjoying a cup of tea)

Dr Khaled has broken down the worst offenders for office snacks, as well as healthier alternatives to try out instead.

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

1. Tea

The words ‘make us a cuppa’ are heard throughout most work offices across the nation.

When you’re hit with a stressful workload, there’s nothing better than a cup of steaming hot or ice cold tea to ease your nerves.

If you tend to drink multiple mugs throughout the day, it may surprise you to know that too much tea can negatively impact your oral health.

Our expert explained: ‘Breakfast teas and coffee eventually cause staining, 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 give your mouth a good rinse and clean before putting them back in. 

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

2. Oat Milk

Deemed a lifesaver by those with allergies or dietary requirements, oat milk is a particularly pesky one on the list.

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

‘If oat milk is a necessary substitute for you, then be sure to make up for the proteins and vitamins you’ll be missing out on’ he said.

Ensure to opt for pharmacist-approved supplements.

3. Birthday cake

We’re sorry to be the party poopers and inform you that birthday cake is no good for your teeth.

This is perhaps not the greatest news if you have a birthday celebrant in your office every week. 

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

‘Next time you decide to indulge, give your teeth a quick brush or mouth a rinse after consuming to wash away any remnants and keep plaque from this sugary snack at bay’.

5. Dried Fruits

The health benefits of dried fruit have long been a source of debate since the dawn of time and while some lobby in favour of it, others argue that it’s jam-packed with sugar.

Our expert explained that dried fruit is usually saturated with sugar to preserve it, so it’s best swap these out for whole fruit. 

Fresh fruit is also great for improving your breath, as it cleans out the odour-producing bacteria in your mouth. 

6. Bananas

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

Although bananas contain a myriad 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 completely fine, but make sure to brush and rinse your teeth after consuming to wash away any residual food that could break down into sugars and cause oral health problems’.

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