The last straw

The findings, published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry, showed a substantial proportion of adults display some evidence of tooth wear while those with the more severe cases more likely to consume sugar based soft drinks and fruit juices.

Results from 3,773 adults revealed that almost four in every five adults (79 per cent) had some evidence of tooth wear, two-thirds (64 per cent) presented mild tooth wear, one in ten (10 per cent) moderate tooth wear while one in 20 (5 per cent) exhibited severe tooth wear.

Researchers found those with moderate and severe tooth wear consumed more soft drinks and fruit juices daily than other groups.

Many soft drinks and fruit juices contain at least six teaspoons of sugar and come in portions larger than recommended, not only leading to dental erosion but quite often tooth decay.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Nigel Carter OBE, said: "While fruit juices can be a good way to get people to consume more fruit, the high concentration of sugar and acids means that they can do real damage to the teeth if regularly consumed throughout the day.