Nutrition & Oral Health Diet & Tooth Decay • Dietary imbalance increases the risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, as well as the risk of developing tooth decay •
Added sugar in the diet is one of the main causes of tooth decay
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Tooth decay refers to the destruction of tooth enamel (the harder outer layer) and dentine (the softer inner layer). It happens when a sticky film of bacteria, called “plaque”, forms on the teeth and gums
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When you consume food and beverages containing sugar, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the tooth surface. The build-up of plaque and acid from bacteria causes enamel or dentine to break down, resulting in the formation of a cavity (hole) in the tooth
Sources of added sugar in diet: 1. Naturally occurring sugar: fruit juices, fruit smoothies, sugar cane drinks
2. Sugar added by consumers: sugar or honey added into beverages or in cooking 3. Sugar added by manufacturers: soft drinks, breakfast cereals, 3-in-1 drinks, ice-cream, cakes, biscuits Tips to reduce tooth decay: • Reduce the amount and frequency of consumption of food and drinks containing sugar •
If taken, sugary food and drinks should only be consumed at mealtimes, rather than in between meals. Saliva is produced when we chew and protects the teeth against decay
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Avoid sugar-containing food and drinks near bedtime. There is a drop in salivary flow at night and with reduced swallowing activity, sugar remains in the mouth longer
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Plain milk or plain water between meals are better options than sugary drinks
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It is a good practice to rinse your mouth after eating and drinking