Feels like I have already read this article before! The hell?!

Since when is alcohol considered a food? I expected to see types of food not drinks. Where is apples and oranges that have highly acidic content?

OMG... we are speaking about dental mistake to tooth decay. Honestly, not spelling mistakes!!! Get a life teach!

I carry a bottle of water in my handbag each time I am away from home. Each time I finished sugary snacks I thoroughly rinsed my mouth with the bottled H2O from my handbag. I gave my teeth a good cleaning and scrubbing when I get home. No point in getting paranoid over a sugary snack in public.

I have a good dental checkup every 6 months.

The key word is don't be lazy...Do the flossing, message the gums and brushing period.

bebes

@ rufus... that would be "piqued" not "peeked"....

I find it that readers seem to get lost with the details and forget the goal of the article. The dentist focused on the causes of tooth decay when the tooth is exposed to various types of sugar and acidic mediums and the so-called know-it- alls dissed the writer for saying the obvious. How many of these readers know the actual biologic process that causes decay, and how many of them have no dental problems at all? What the dentist is saying, and many do not realize this, is that it is not the quantity or type of sugar, but it is the amount of time that it is present in the mouth. So all of you so called know it alls can back off a bit and maybe if you only learn one little item, then your precious time was well spent and you can go back to your Ipods and ps3's.
A dentist

When my kids grow up, I'm going to suggest they do anything BUT be a writer for anything that gets posted online - like this article. It just turns you into a jerkoff magnet and they do seem to come out of the woodwork quickly - don't they ? I knew all of this too, learned it from an article like this a long time ago. It doesn't mean everyone knows it and it didn't hurt repeating it again. It's a 'whynot' article - it's good information that's worth repeating and if you have the space - why not publish it ? There are a lot of kids out there who's teeth are rotted away because their mom's didn't know these facts - it's becoming an epidemic in some places. If an article like this saves one child this grief - it was worth it. The message is real simple - brush and floss regularly. Oh yes ...and maybe take some time to proof before you post.

My dentist tells me that you can eat as much candy and the other associated foods and drinks ( alcoholic drinks in moderation of cource ) you mentioned in your article and can tolerate as long as you brush your teeth clean just after consuming these sugary vices snacks. It is a good idea to keep a MINI portable tooth brush, mini tooth paste tube and mini portable dental floss in your pocket and at your next wash room break just brush away any concerns you have about the article you have just read. Do not be shy to brush and clean your teeth at your place of employement washroom or pulic wash rooms cause your alternative may cost you more in the long run not to brush your teeth right away if possible. Waiting until bed time to brush your teeth I think is too long and allows the break down of the sugars to metabolize and create those bad bacteria to have their way especially hard to clean areas between your teeth. How many times have you noticed plaque build up on you teeth about a hour after eaing by scraping it away with your finger nail even though your teeth were really clean just before eating. The quick teeth brush clean always works for me.

It sure would be nice if most of the individuals who have commented could spell !!!!!

Although two of the four where drinks they are often eaten with food and alchohal IS put in some dishes.

Seriously!!! Why are you all complaining and sounding like know it alls? When we see an article and read it, it is usually because it peeked our curiosity. So you already knew the facts....move on and let those who possibly don't know what is bad for their teeth get a lesson.This article was obviously not written for you "know it alls". Quit wasting web space!!!!

LAST I CHECKED SOFT DRINKS, ALCHOL AND SUGAR ARE NOT FOOD, WHAT A POOR ARTICLE

A few things. As a dentist there is no doubt that sugar is a causitive agent. But, if one flosses than brushes at least before going to bed the negative effects will be reduced, if not eliminated. If one flosses and brushes thoroughly the bacteria that cause degay and gum problems will be gretlty reduced. It takes three days for a fully votal dental plaque to reform. So a good and throrough oral hygiene regime at least once a day will eliminate most of the problems befoire they occur. But if one does not brush after meals the stigma of bad breath can arise. And it takes 21 days to form a habit. So try to get into a regime before bed..and voila...no preaching and no decay...Dr Mike in Ottawa

wth!!!!!!! i already knew this

No matter what you do, you're always doing damage to your teeth.

So sugar is BAD for your teeth?

What a stupid article! Did someone actually ghet paid to tell us what we al already know???

im 16 years old and i already know this fact!

Acid gives your teeth cavities. Bacterial plaque eats sugar = refined carbohydrates. So yes chips and crackers to. The bacteria metabolize the refined carbs and produce acid. It is this acid that wears at your teeth (demineralization). Anything with a low ph will demineralize your teeth.

This sounds like a recycled worn out article. I like the "brush your teeth 20 minutes after drinking." Ok so how real world is that suggestion - or any of this really?

Seriously, you published this? My eleven year old could have done better research and written it better!! BTW, don't brush right after alcohol consumption. Recent studies, and really, who does all of these ridiculous studies, show that brushing right alcohol consumption damages tooth enamel. But really, who cares???!!!! Your articles are great material for "This hour has 22 minutes". Give it up already.

When did alcohol become a food?

Good job writing an article about something that people have known since, well, I don't know, A LONG TIME..
Your articles make it look like your writing to junior high students, or people who have lived in 3rd world countries and were not privy to this knowledge or these types of foods for that matter. An informative article with food "That you didn't know your teeth hated" would of been better, with an in-depth information about said foods. This just seems like you missed your deadline and wrote something that could be seen on any PBS info clip.
Good Job!

Well, most of that just said that sugar is bad. Which it is. Processed sugar is essentially our diets hidden poison. Not only does it wear at your teeth it's also the worst natural inflammatory. So if you have any arthritis or joint issues... stay away! They did however, no surprise though, leave milk off this list. Milk is terrible for wearing teeth enamel.

Drinking alcohols also contain sugars.

Mouthwash answer:
You rinse with mouthwash and do not swallow.

Drinking alcohol is consumned and not rinsed away after.

This study was conducted in 2009. It's two years old. EVERYTHING IS BAD FOR YOUR TEETH. You can consume what ever you wish. Just floss and brush afterwards to rid the harmful effects of the foods/drinks from causing damage to your teeth. No study need to be done to let us know that sugar is bad for our teeth.

If alcohol is so bad for your teeth then why is it in mouthwash?