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How does what I eat affect my teeth? Why is a healthy diet important for my oral health? Every time you eat or drink anything containing sugar, your teeth are under acid attack for up to one hour. This is because the sugar reacts with the bacteria in plaque (the sticky coating on your teeth) to produce the harmful acid. It is important to limit sugary foods only to mealtimes, limiting the amount of time your mouth is at risk. A diet that is rich in vitamins minerals and fresh vegetables can help to prevent gum disease that is a common cause of tooth loss and bad breath in adults. What is tooth decay? Tooth decay damages your teeth and leads to fillings or even extractions. Decay happens when sugar reacts with the bacteria in plaque. This forms the acids that attack the teeth and destroy the enamel. If this acid attack happens more often than the tooth can be repaired by saliva, the tooth enamel may break down forming a hole or “cavity” into the dentine. The tooth can then decay more quickly. What foods can cause decay? All sugars can cause decay. Sugar can come in many forms, for example: sucrose, fructose and glucose are just three types. These sugars can all damage your teeth. Many processed foods have sugar in them, and the more sugar there is in the product, the higher up on the list of ingredients on the label it appears. Remember that “no added sugar” does not mean that the product is sugar free. It simply means that no extra sugar has been added. These products may contain sugars such as those listed above, or they may be listed under Carbohydrates. Can food and drink cause erosion? Acidic foods and drinks can be just as harmful to your teeth when eaten or drunk in excess. The acid erodes the enamel exposing the dentine underneath. This can make the teeth sensitive and cause them to decay far more quickly. Examples of acidic things include: vinegar, red wine, cola, fruit juices, but there are many others. Can I eat snacks? It is better for your teeth and general health if you eat 3 meals a day instead of 7 to 10 snacks. If you do need a snack between meals, choose foods that do not contain sugar. Fruit does contain acids that can erode your teeth. However, this is only damaging to your teeth if you eat an unusually large amount. Try choosing savoury snacks such as cheese, raw vegetables, nuts, breadsticks. Can I eat sweets? It is important to remember that it is not the amount of sugar that you eat but how often you eat it. Sweet foods are allowed, but it is important to keep them to mealtimes. To reduce your risk of tooth decay, cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks. What should I drink? Still water and milk are good choices. Tea or coffee without sugar or with artificial sweetener (Canderel is the best tasting) are also safe for teeth. It is better for your teeth if you drink fruit juices at meal times. If you are drinking them between meals, try diluting them with water. Diluted sugar-free squashes are an alternative to water or milk, if milk or water are not tolerated. If you make squash or cordial, be sure that it is diluted 1 part cordial to 10 parts water. Some soft drinks contain sweeteners which are not suitable for young children – check with your dentist if you are unsure. Fizzy drinks can increase the risk of dental problems. The sugar can cause decay and the acid in both normal and diet drinks can dissolve the enamel on the teeth. The risk is higher when you have these drinks in between meals. Should I brush my teeth after every meal? Eating and drinking acidic food & drink weakens the enamel on your teeth, and brushing straight afterwards can cause tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. It is best not to brush your teeth until at least 1 hour after eating these things. Rinse with water or chew sugar free gum to encourage saliva flow. It is important that you brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day. The best times are before breakfast and last thing at night before bed. It is especially important to brush before bed. This is because the flow of saliva, which is the mouth’s own cleaning system, slows down during the night and this leaves the mouth more at risk of decay. Does chewing gum help prevent decay? Chewing sugar free gum after eating helps to produce saliva which helps to neutralise the acids produced by the plaque bacteria. It has been proven that chewing sugar free gum (Wrigley’s Extra or Orbit) after meals can prevent tooth decay. How can I reduce my tooth decay? Your dentist may ask you to complete a diet questionnaire so that advice can be given tailored specifically to you and your lifestyle. They may recommend that you have extra fluoride in the form of a special mouthrinse or extra strong toothpaste or gel. If you have a high rate of decay, the dentist may wish to place stabilising fillings in teeth with cavities to get your decay under control before placing permanent filling. This is to ensure that the fillings will last a long time and will not get new decay underneath. The dentist may assess your tooth decay
by taking regular very low dose x-rays to check for new cavities.
As your decay rate reduces, the
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 the gentle dental centre |