National Smile MonthBetween 12 May and 12 June 2025, the Oral Health Foundation will raise awareness of important oral health issues. Join the nation's biggest oral health campaign and help bring a smile to millions of people. This year the theme for National Smile Month is Feed Your Smile. Find out more Take part About National Smile Month Key messages National Smile Month 2025 Our partners Your oral health Top tips How to clean your teeth Diet and your oral health Oral health & general wellbeing Statistics Feed your smile Diet and a healthy smile Top food tips Smart snacking Hydration and oral health Top dairy foods The gut health link How sugar affects your smile Acidic foods and drinks The worst foods and drinks for your teeth Take part The Smiley Things to do Activities for professionals Activities for schools Fundraising Downloads Shop The worst foods and drinks for your teeth What you eat and drink has a huge impact on your oral health. While some foods help protect and strengthen your teeth, others can cause serious damage - leading to cavities, enamel erosion, and stains. Being aware of the biggest culprits can help you make smarter choices to keep your smile healthy. Foods & drinks that harm your teeth Sugary sweets & snacks Why? Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, creating acids that attack your enamel and lead to cavities. Worst offenders: Sweets, toffees, chocolate, biscuits, and cakes. Sticky or chewy sweets are especially harmful because they cling to teeth for longer. Sugary & fizzy drinks Why? These drinks are packed with sugar and acids that weaken enamel and cause decay. Worst offenders: Cola, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened iced tea. Even sugar-free fizzy drinks can be harmful due to their high acid content. Acidic fruits & juices Why? Citrus fruits and fruit juices contain high levels of acid, which can erode enamel over time. Worst offenders: Oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and fruit juices. Drinking them through a straw can help reduce contact with teeth. White bread & refined carbohydrates Why? Starchy foods break down into sugars in the mouth and can stick between teeth, increasing cavity risk. Worst offenders: White bread, crisps, crackers, pasta, and pizza. Opt for whole grains when possible. Dried fruits Why? They may seem healthy, but dried fruits are sticky and high in sugar, making them just as bad as sweets. Worst offenders: Raisins, dried apricots, dates, and figs. Fresh fruit is a much better option. Coffee & tea Why? These beverages can stain teeth over time and, if sweetened, contribute to decay. Worst offenders: Black coffee, black tea, and sugary flavoured lattes. Drinking water alongside them can help reduce staining. Alcoholic drinks Why? Alcohol dries out the mouth, reducing saliva production and making teeth more vulnerable to decay. Worst offenders: Red and white wine (both highly acidic), cocktails, and spirits with sugary mixers. Ice cubes & hard foods Why? Chewing hard foods can chip or crack your teeth, leading to long-term damage. Worst offenders: Ice cubes, hard sweets, and popcorn kernels. How to reduce the damage Drink water after consuming sugary or acidic foods. This helps rinse away harmful substances. Use a straw for acidic drinks. This minimises direct contact with your teeth. Limit snacking. Frequent eating gives bacteria more chances to produce cavity-causing acids. Brush at the right time. Wait at least 30 minutes after consuming acidic foods before brushing to avoid spreading the acid further. The bottom line You don’t have to completely eliminate these foods and drinks, but being mindful of how often you consume them - and taking steps to minimise their effects - can help protect your smile in the long run. Want to learn about foods that help strengthen your teeth? Check out our Best Foods for Teeth guide! Manage Cookie Preferences