05 JUN 2025

Most people focus on weight, heart health, or diabetes when thinking about diet – but very few consider how their food and drink choices affect their teeth, new research reveals.

An investigation by the Oral Health Foundation finds just one-in-six (15%) UK adults see oral health as a concern when it comes to what they eat or drink. In contrast, nearly half (40%) worry about weight gain, over a third (35%) about heart health, and a similar number (34%) about diabetes.

This gap in awareness could be putting millions at risk of serious dental problems – and the charity behind the research is calling on people to change the way they think about diet and oral health.

Dr Nigel Carter, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, stresses the importance of recognising how diet impacts teeth. “Every bite and sip affects your mouth,” Dr Carter says. “Sugary foods feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Acidic drinks wear away the protective enamel. Certain foods and drinks also stain teeth and can cause bad breath. These aren’t just cosmetic issues – they can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.”

Around 47 million UK adults experience tooth decay at some point in their lives, with 13.5 million currently living with untreated decay. Up to 26 million struggle with tooth staining, around 15 million show signs of enamel erosion, and a similar number suffer from bad breath, including nearly 8 million with chronic issues.

But the charity warns the risks go far beyond tooth decay and staining.

Gum disease, which affects up to nine-in-ten (90%) people during their lifetime, starts when bacteria build up under the gums, causing inflammation and bleeding. If left untreated, it can lead to serious problems in other parts of the body.

Dr Carter adds: “Poor diet, especially high sugar intake, fuels these bacteria and increases the risk of gum disease. More importantly, gum disease isn’t just a mouth problem – it’s linked to serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and respiratory disease. Other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy complications and chronic kidney disease are also linked to gum disease.

“When gums are inflamed, it can trigger inflammation in the rest of the body, raising the risk of these illnesses.”

Despite these dangers, nearly half of UK adults (44%) say they have never changed their diet to protect their oral health.

“People often think about sugar for weight control but forget it harms their teeth just as much,” says Dr Carter. “Frequent snacking, sugary drinks, and acidic foods put extra pressure on teeth and gums.”

The good news is that small changes can help. The charity says cutting down on sugary and acidic drinks, choosing sugar-free snacks, reducing snacking, and eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins can protect teeth and gums.

Dr Carter says: “Oral health is closely tied to overall health. Research shows that treating gum disease can help manage diabetes and reduce cardiovascular risks.”

With National Smile Month running from 12 May to 12 June, the Oral Health Foundation encourages people to take simple steps to improve their oral health.

“Your mouth is part of your whole body,” Dr Carter adds. “Protecting your teeth means protecting your heart and your overall wellbeing. What you eat and how you care for your mouth matters.”

For more advice on tooth-friendly diets and oral health, visit www.smilemonth.org.