'I'm a dentist and this is the worst time of day to eat if you want healthy teeth'

A dentist has revealed one two-hour window during the day which you should never eat

Woman smiling showing teeth

A dentist has warned of a two hour window in which you should avoid eating (Image: Getty Images)

There's one two-hour window in the afternoon during which you should never eat, due to the impact it can have on your teeth, according to one dentist.

While it's obviously important to regularly brush and floss your teeth, avoiding food for the two hours after lunch can also help keep your teeth strong and healthy.

Award-winning dentist Dr Alex Foo from Aria Dental has said that after lunch it’s important to give your mouth a break for a couple of hours.

He said: "Allowing your saliva to naturally clean and remineralise your teeth for at least two hours after a meal can greatly reduce the risk of cavities and enamel erosion.

"In the morning, saliva tends to be more acidic and flows more slowly. 

Photo of pretty young girl suffer tooth pain wear pajama bright interior bedroom apartment indoors

Ensuring your teeth are healthy can reduce the risk of pain and cavities (Image: Getty)

"However, after lunch, the pH of your saliva rises, which makes it more effective at protecting your teeth by helping to remineralise enamel."

Dr Foo also emphasises the importance of a healthy lunch. He said: "What you eat at midday can impact the quality of your saliva for the rest of the afternoon.

"A salad or other healthy options can promote better oral health. Using a little xylitol after lunch can also help stimulate beneficial saliva production."

Woman Smiling During a Dental Check-Up at the Clinic

While brushing your teeth is key to healthy teeth, what you eat and when also plays a part (Image: Getty)

To help protect your teeth, Dr Foo advises avoiding snacking or consuming drinks other than water during the two-hour window after lunch.

This allows your saliva to do its job of keeping your teeth clean and protecting them from decay.

He added: "These small changes in routine can make a big difference to your long-term dental health."

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