When you think of all the sugary treats available at this time of year, usually we consider the calories and forget about the risk to our chompers!

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Sugar-free drinks and candy are generally believed to pose less of a danger to teeth, but new research from Australia reveals that is not the case. University of Melbourne scientists tested 23 types of drinks, both with and without sugar, on 70 human molars and monitored changes in enamel hardness of the teeth. They found little difference between using drinks with and without sugar, with water and milk-based drinks having the least detrimental effect on enamel. In a press release Dr. Eric Reynolds with University of Melbourne wrote, “Many people are not aware that while reducing your sugar intake does reduce your risk of dental decay, the chemical mix of acids in some foods and drinks can cause the equally damaging condition of dental erosion.” Swapping out acidic drinks for water more often and paying more attention ingredients (particularly acids) in food and drinks can help you lower your risk for tooth decay. (UPI) (Image: Pixabay.com)