A report from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) highlights the specific actions it deems necessary to improve the nation’s heath, a key part of which was focussed on dental health.
With sugar intake having an ever increasing effect on our teeth, the report calls for the average intake of ‘free sugars’, including those added to food, to not exceed 5 per cent of daily calories.
President of the BSDHT Michaela ONeill believes this call on the government can make a real difference to attitudes on sugars in our diet.
Ms ONeill said: “It is not ground breaking to hear that sugar is harmful to our teeth but the sheer scale of the problem is something that cannot be overstated. Tooth decay is the number one cause of hospital admissions among Britain's children.
“These ‘free sugars’ have no nutritional value and by reducing the frequency of their intake there is huge potential to make a real difference not only to our dental health but also in the battle against obesity.”
The BSDHT is calling for the government to take the report’s findings and suggestions seriously and wants it to influence an industry wide change of policy.
Policy change based on advice from Britain's top scientists can ensure the food industry cuts sugar levels and could potentially remove a huge burden from the NHS.
As part of its continued focus on improving the nation’s dental health, the BSDHT have put together some top tips.
Diet
Some foods and drinks which you may consider ‘healthy’ contain surprising amounts of sugar. Some juice drinks contain nearly as much sugar as the equivalent size coke and therefore can be equally damaging to your teeth. BSDHT recommend that you try to keep sugary drinks to a minimum but if they are to be consumed then do so at mealtimes. Natural sugars which are found in whole foods are usually less damaging to your teeth. Acidic foods and drinks can as also be very harmful. The acid ‘erodes' or dissolves the enamel, exposing the dentine underneath. This can make your teeth sensitive and unsightly. Be aware of how often you eat or drink sugars and reduce the frequency. Brushing teeth straight after eating or drinking is damaging to the teeth. Leave for 40 minutes before brushing or chew sugar free gum to increase saliva, this can also help improve your dental health
Daily brushing
It is important that you brush your teeth last thing at night and one other time during the day with a tooth paste which contains fluoride. This is widely regarded as the minimum we can do to look after our teeth and is perhaps the simplest thing to do. Two minutes twice a day is all that is required.
Interdental cleaning
A third of the tooth surface is between the teeth so it is important to clean these areas. Using interdental brushes helps to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and can help to reduce the risk of gum disease. You should clean between your teeth once a day and your dental hygienist can show you proper cleaning techniques.
Consistent routine
A routine is one of the best ways of developing good behaviour in oral health, especially for children. Routines involving regular brushing when started from an early age are proven to improve behaviour and overall oral health later on in life.
Dental Visits
You should visit your dentist or dental hygienist and therapist as often as they recommend as everybody’s oral health needs are different and specific to them. Your dental health team is not just there to fix things when they go wrong, they play a key role in maintaining your overall oral health. They can offer advice on many things from brushing and interdental cleaning techniques to diet and even mouth cancer. Also visiting with your children shows there is nothing to be afraid of and can help to form good oral health habits
Smoking
The damage that smoking can do to your mouth, gums and teeth is huge and can even be fatal. Smoking is closely linked to gum disease, tooth loss and is the biggest cause of mouth cancer. If you are a smoker then you may have to visit your dental team more often in order to keep a closer check on your oral health.