Nutrition and oral health

The single most important cause of dental caries is the frequency with which sugar-containing foods and drinks are consumed. The nutritional advice offered in relation to oral health should be based on the reduction of between-meal snacking of sugary foods and drinks.

The 1995 World Health Organization recommend that frequent consumption throughout the day of foods containing sugar should be avoided, especially by children. These guidelines further recommend that while a high energy intake is required for growth by adolescents, and this increases meal frequency, this should not be associated with frequent consumption of foods anddrinks high in sugar throughout the day.

The WHO recommendation is that the intake of “free sugars” – this term does not include sugars naturally present in whole fruits, vegetables and milk – should be less than 10% of total energy intake which equates to 15 or20 kg per year and that frequency of intake be limited to four times or less a day.

Key Points

• Frequent consumption of sugar-containing foods and drinks is the most important cause of tooth decay.
• Twenty three percent of 8 year olds and 40% of 15 year olds consume sweet snacks or drinks between normal meals three or more times a day. Half or 48% of all adults snack between meals, most commonly on biscuits and cakes.
• More than 8 out of 10 adults or 86% consume at least three servings a day of foods high in fats and sugar. Experts recommends that these foods are best avoided and limited to no more than 1 serving a day maximum and ideally not everyday, or onse or twise per week.
• Poor nutrition is a shared common risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity and also oral diseases.
• The advice on healthy nutrition and good oral hygiene are the first recommendations you will receive from your dentist.