The choice your teeth would make
Complied in collaboration with The British Dental Association
HEALTHY TEETH - THE FACTS
How do sweeteners protect the teeth?
The most widespread disease caused by civilisation is caries. Even during childhood and teens, inadequate cleaning and eating the wrong foods causes major damage to the teeth.
Sugar and starchy foods pose a danger to dental enamel. Switching to sweeteners is recommended as a way to guard against caries and periodontitis. Sweeteners contain no carbohydrates and therefore cannot attack the teeth. But there is no way that sweeteners can replace regular cleaning and dental check-ups.
Teeth need a 'neutral' environment
At a neutral pH the minerals in tooth enamel are extremely durable. However, when 'acid attack' causes the pH to fall below 5.5, the hardest substance in the human body begins to demineralise. The much feared caries is a topical demineralisation of the dental enamel and occurs in all areas where the bacteria present in the coating on the teeth produce acid over prolonged periods.Thus the real danger for our teeth comes from the acids that are produced from the fermentation of carbohydrates by plaque bacteria.
Plaque is a real nuisance
The coating on the teeth (which is called plaque by dentists) is a thin, sticky, colourless film that covers even clean teeth. Plaque builds up mainly in those hard-to-reach areas, such as between the teeth and at the edge of the gums. If this coating is not removed regularly by thorough brushing, tartar is formed. In time it becomes hard and grows under the gums. Pockets are formed in the gums, and bacteria have free rein to multiply there. The gums become inflamed and there is the risk of periodontitis as well as caries.
Sour facts about sugar
The bacteria present in plaque feed by breaking down carbohydrates, which are to be found in abundance in sugar and starchy foods. The process produces acids, which lower the pH and attack the tooth enamel. Every time carbohydrates are eaten, the pH value in the mouth drops into the acid range and it takes the saliva about half an hour to neutralise it. However, the decisive factor in tooth decay is not only how much carbohydrates are eaten - the stickiness of the food is equally important, since that will make it adhere more readily to the teeth, thus providing a source of food for bacteria.
HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR TEETH
Prevention is better than cure
Eating sensibly is a cornerstone of good health - and this includes healthy teeth.
If we want to avoid painful and expensive diseases of the teeth and gums, the only effective method is regular, proper and thorough cleaning of the teeth, the interdental spaces and the buccal cavity.
Regular dental check-ups and scaling and polishing by your dentist or hygienist are an integral part of preventative measures.
Hygiene - it's what your teeth need most
A high standard of oral hygiene inhibits excessive growth of plaque bacteria and ensures that the dental problems associated with them do not occur in the first place. The teeth should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a day but preferably after every main meal.
Toothbrushes with rounded-off bristles are ideal because they can get to those hard-to-reach places. If using a brush with tightly packed synthetic bristles, make sure they are not be too hard, or they will damage the gums, and not too soft, or they will not clean properly.
Cleaning between the teeth
Once a day, preferably just before brushing, the interdental spaces should be cleaned with dental floss. If there are quite wide gaps between the teeth, interdental brushes can be useful. Medical-grade toothpicks are recommended for massaging the gums and removing any large particles of food. Fluoride inhibits demineralisation, promotes remineralisation and helps the enamel to withstand wear and tear. Most people protect their teeth with fluoride toothpaste.
SWEETENERS AND HEALTHY TEETH
Have you got a sweet tooth?
Sugar damages our teeth. But what if you have a really sweet tooth? In contrast to 'bitter', 'salt' and 'sour', 'sweet' tickles our taste buds and gives us a feeling of well-being. But sugar and starchy foods can damage the teeth.
Watch out for hidden sugars!
When we use sugar cubes to sweeten drinks or sprinkle granulated sugar on fruit or desserts, we are well aware of what we are doing, and it is something that each of us can control or give up altogether. It is also quite clear to us how much sugar there is in soft drinks, biscuits, cakes, jam and blocks of chocolate.
Sugar is also to be found, however, where we would least expect it, for instance in 'ready-cook' meals, tinned vegetables, soups and sauces. Take a closer look at the list of ingredients - what you find listed as sucrose, glucose, dextrose, fructose and maltose are different types of sugar and provide a welcome source of nutrients for plaque bacteria.
Sweeteners prevent caries
Over the last twenty years, scientific research has shown that sweeteners can help to guard against caries. Regular administration of sucrose promotes the selective growth of cariogenic micro-organisms. Since sweeteners are not fermented by the bacteria in the mouth to form acids, they do not cause caries.
So replace sugar with sweeteners, wherever possible, and only drink tea and coffee with sweeteners.
QUESTIONS ON DENTAL HEALTH
For questions on the subject of dental health, please use this link to Questions and Answers or contact us direct at our consumer service department.
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