Christmas dinner ‘good for your teeth’

Research suggests, Eating Christmas dinner could be good for your teeth, but only if you cover it with cranberry sauce.
The British Dental Health Foundation says cranberries can help stop tooth decay and gum disease.
The little red berries apparently stop harmful bacteria sticking to your teeth, stopping them causing problems.
It’s thought cranberries have lots of benefits for your health, like fighting infections, ulcers, and they may even stop heart attacks.
But dentists warn not to have too much cranberry juice, because it’s quite acidic, and could harm your teeth.
A study in the USA found that cranberries improved the health of pig’s hearts and may do the same for humans. A cranberry powder put into the pig’s diets appeared to make their blood vessels relax and open more.
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the foundation, said: “With the number of cranberry-containing toothpastes and flosses on the market increasing, it seems that oral health companies are taking advantage of the benefits of cranberries.
“However, it is important to also be aware of the negatives. Cranberries are naturally very acidic, while manufacturers also tend to add sugar to cranberry products.
“Every time you eat or drink something acidic, the enamel on your teeth is softened temporarily. If given time to recover, then your saliva will neutralise this acidity in your mouth and restore it to its natural balance.
“However, if this attack happens too often the mouth does not have the chance to repair itself and tiny particles of enamel can be brushed away. This is called erosion. Tooth decay is caused by sugar, and erosion can leave you even more open to this. So while cranberries can be enjoyed, they should be limited to mealtimes only to avoid potential problems.”