Avoiding excessive amounts of sugar is vital for maintaining long-term oral health care, according to one expert.

Damage to tooth enamel is irreversible, associate professor Bernadette Drummond from Otago University’s School of Dentistry, told the National.

She said: “If you dissolve the surface of your teeth there is nothing you can do – it is gone.”

The specialist warned parents that children and teenagers who consume excessive amounts of high sugar items will have corroded teeth and require cosmetic dentistry to prevent further damage.

Ms Drummond recommended having fruit juice no more than once or twice a day and trying not to give very acidic products to youngsters.

She explained how once the harm has been done the only option left is to place crowns on the teeth, which they will have to wear for the rest of their lives.

Dr Philippa Sawyer, chairwoman of the Australian Dental Association oral health committee, recently commented that individuals were often unaware of what foods they should be keeping away from in order to prevent tooth decay, the Herald Sun reported.

To protect teeth from developing decay one industry commentator has spoken of the importance of using fluoride toothpaste.

Social activist Michael Vaughan has encouraged people to protect against rotting teeth and gum disease which could result in tooth loss and the need for cosmetic dentistry.

He recommended regular brushing to prevent the build-up of plaque which if left untreated can cause teeth to fall out and harm to the jaw bones.

Bad dental hygiene can increase the risk of cavities caused by bacteria that damages the enamel, he explained.

Mr Vaughan suggested using fluoride toothpaste to help reduce the chance of this and prevent infected gums.

Dental expert Dr Albert Wesley recently advised patients to have dental implants fitted to replace missing teeth rather than opt for traditional bridge work, wxyz.com reported.

He stated that the procedure was cost effective in the long-term as the crowns would need to be replaced less frequently than the customary alternatives.

A study of children being treated for dental cavities has further confirmed among experts that poor nutritional choices are to blame for the number of children needing emergency dentistry.

The University of Buffalo carried out tests on 65 children aged between two and five years of age and found that tooth decay was more prevalent in those who were overweight.

Kathleen Bethin, associate professor of pediatrics at the university, explained that the research aimed to assess if there was a link between poor nutritional choices, obesity and rotten teeth.

She said: “The main point of our findings is that poor nutrition may link obesity to tooth decay, thus the dental office … may be an ideal place to educate families about nutrition and the risks of … dental decay.”

The results showed that the amount of calories were the same in both groups of children, suggesting the types of foods being eaten was the main cause of problems, Ms Bethin claimed.

Having more water fountains in parks was recently suggested as a way to help combat poor oral hygiene by the Children’s Food Campaign, which claimed lack of resources encouraged kids to drink sugary alternatives.

A new tax on chewing gum could increase the amount of people who have to receive cosmetic dentistry in the UK, it has been suggested.

Conducted by Saga, a study found that many people over the age of 50 are keen for the government to impose a tax on chewing gum to help fund a clean-up operation on the streets of Britain.

However, Dentistry.co.uk explains this could have a negative impact on the nation’s oral health.

The benefits of chewing sugarfree gum are recognised by the British Dental Association and dentists advocate it as a way of fighting tooth decay.

The news provider quotes the British Dental Health Foundation as stating: “Chewing gum makes your mouth produce more saliva, which in turn cancels out the acid produced in your mouth after drinking and eating.”

It seems as though some people in Scotland could benefit from using chewing gum, as a study recently conducted by Implantium Network found those living north of the border have the greatest number of missing teeth in the UK.

Tap water can help teeth stay strong.

Fluoridated tap water is “excellent” for helping teeth remain strong and healthy, it has been claimed.

It has been reported that while tooth enamel is very strong, a lack of nutrients in the diet and the consumption of highly acidic or sugary foods can erode this protective layer over time.

As such, drinking plenty of fluoridated tap water is a good way of maintaining strong enamel and helping the teeth to stay healthy.

Most households across the UK will have access to fluoridated tap water and therefore people have been advised to switch to this beverage, rather than drinking sugary soft drinks.

Elsewhere, Kitchener dentist Harry Hoediono recently told the Record that water should be a key ingredient of every healthy diet, as not only does it help to keep the body hydrated, but it also washes away debris in the mouth and restores natural pH levels after eating and drinking.

A dentist has advised patients to drink water.

People wishing to improve their oral health have been advised that drinking water after consuming highly acidic or sugary foods can help.

Kitchener dentist Harry Hoediono told the Record that water should be a key elements of every healthy diet, as not only does it help to keep the body hydrated, but it also washes away debris in the mouth and restores natural pH levels after eating and drinking.

He commented: “Water has no acid or sugars, unlike many sweetened or carbonated beverages, even natural fruit juices. Milk or unsweetened ice tea are also good choices.”

Elsewhere, research from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US recently showed that fluoridated tap water can help to strengthen tooth enamel and this in turn will help a person avoid tooth decay and pain from sensitive teeth.

Indeed, the report noted that fluoride helps to strengthen the whole of the tooth, providing added defence against oral illness.