Individuals hoping to avoid needing emergency dentistry should avoid consuming large amounts of junk food in a bid to protect their oral health.

A group of New Zealand researchers have discovered that the effects of sugary and acidic foods may cause more damage than can be reversed by brushing teeth.

Scientists from the Dental Association found that individuals who eat high quantities of junk food were at a considerably higher risk of sustaining dental holes.

The research emerges after statistics revealed that only 21 per cent of young people in New Zealand had considered limiting their intake of sugar to promote overall health.

Deepa Krishnan from the Dental Association said: “The study suggests the effects of junk food extend beyond poor nutrition, obesity and its associated risks, to poor oral health, which remains the most common chronic disease in New Zealand.”

The British Dental Health Foundation recommends that people consume a diet that is high in vitamins and minerals, such as fruit and vegetables, to prevent gum disease.