Naturally, the less we consume these types of foods, the better it is for our dental health. However, regardless of the amount we eat, there are several important points to consider in order to minimize their effect on the teeth.

What matters for the teeth is not how much of the food reaches the stomach, but how long it stays in contact with the teeth.

For example, eating one chocolate slowly over the course of an hour is more harmful than eating two chocolates within five minutes, because the contact time is much longer.

Similarly, holding chocolate or sweets between the cheek and teeth can be quite damaging, as it keeps the sugar in contact with that area for a long time. Instead, keeping it between the tongue and the palate allows you to enjoy the taste better while minimizing contact with the teeth.

Likewise, to reduce the harmful effects of acidic beverages, it is recommended to use a straw.

Another important factor is how we finish our meals.

Ending breakfast with jam, honey, or chocolate is more harmful compared to finishing with cheese or yogurt, which have a lower and more neutralizing pH. Drinking tea afterward can also be beneficial for dental health.