Ever had to choose certain foods based on the potential impact they may have on your teeth? I do, due to years of careless treatment of my teeth.
I used to think that just by brushing my teeth twice a day, everything would be fine but someone forgot to tell me that I had to also watch what I ate, and now I am suffering financially for it, to make my teeth healthy again.
Tooth decay is a subject I like to think that I know all too well about, however, recently I realised that I only know the basics: sugar is bad, acidic foods are bad, not brushing your teeth is bad and not flossing, something I always neglect, is bad.
I am not alone though in my fight against tooth decay; millions of Australians suffer from tooth erosion due to the foods they eat and poor maintenance.
Every time you eat acidic, sugary and starchy foods, the pH level in your mouth changes making your mouth more acidic and then a a soft, sticky substance made of bacteria - plaque - forms on your teeth, building up on gums and between your teeth.
Acidic foods and drinks can be just as harmful to your teeth. The acid erodes the enamel, exposing the dentine underneath. This can make the teeth sensitive.
My dentist used to tell me that the best way to help my teeth was to eat a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and fresh produce in order to help prevent gum disease.
And believe me, you wouldn't want gum disease because it can lead to tooth loss and cause bad breath.
In a recent finding, it was found that most people would rather suffer the pain of tooth erosion and in more extreme cases, perform their own tooth extractions than go to the dentist, due to high dental costs.
Chewing gum company Wrigley's recently launched its 'Eat Drink Chew Extra' campaign which sets out to educate Australians to educate them on the importance of chewing sugar free gum after meals to ensure better oral health - and avoid potential dental problems and high fees.
I started to read the information provided in the campaign about how to take care of our teeth and boy, did I learn a lot.
Chewing gum stimulates saliva which in turn neutralises acids and increases the pH levels, keep your teeth 'healthy' before brushing your teeth.
So what foods are the most detrimental to your teeth?
Soft drinks, grapefruit, pickles, red wine, orange juice, sugar and vinegar are some of the worst culprits in tooth decay.
The golden rule to keeping the food you eat from being a big problem is to cut out all the sugars from your diet and not only will your teeth be happy, but so will your waist.