Diet and Dental Decay

Diet is one of the key contributing factors associated with Dental Decay. 

The bacteria in our mouth feed on sugars in our diet. This results in the production of an acid which dissolves tooth structure, otherwise known as Dental Decay. When we eat foods that contain sugars our teeth are susceptible to Dental Decay for a number of hours following. 

A persistent poor diet increases the amount of time sugars are in contact with our teeth, and after a certain period of time, our teeth will decay.

A healthy dental diet that will decrease the risk of Dental Decay reduces the frequency of foods containing sugar throughout the day. Try to avoid snacking between main meals and if you do feel the need to eat between meals choose healthy options such as nuts, cheese, unsalted popcorn and vegetables. To reduce the risk of Dental Decay it is important to limit the sugar in your drinks, if you do require some sweetening try using an artificial sweetener. It is also important to reduce the consumption of beverages that are acidic, such as softdrink or sports drinks as these will also contribute to creating an environment in which Dental Decay can occur. Replace these harmful drinks with water. Another helpful tip is to chew sugar free gum after meals. This will stimulate saliva flow which then acts to neutralise decay causing plaque acids.