The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned that dental caries, or tooth decay, impacts about 2.5 billion people globally. They say limiting the amount of added sugar eaten could fight the problem. Added sugars are classified as anything processed. Naturally sweet foods that are bound with fiber do less damage.
Tooth decay happens when plaque forms on the teeth and turns sugar into acid that can harm tooth enamel. A diet high in sugar and poor oral hygiene can quickly turn into cavities.
To protect oral health, WHO says you need to limit added sugars to less than 10 percent of your daily diet; ideally, they should be less than five percent. Children under the age of two should not have sugar-sweetened drinks. The WHO called for easily understood front-of-packaging food labels that show the sugar content and for more policies to protect children from food marketing. And they believe there should be more taxes on sugary drinks and foods high in sugar.
While many factors drive dental health, WHO said sugar is the main driving force. The organization added that diets high in sugar contribute to obesity, blood sugar concerns and heart health problems. Cutting back on sugar to aid oral health can also benefit other aspects of health.
Tooth decay often doesn’t get the attention it deserves because we tend to think of it as an individual problem as opposed to a public health concern. This is a problem impacting 2.5 billion people globally. That is a public health concern. There is “an underestimation of the true burden and impact of the disease.”
If you shift from thinking of oral health as just being about brushing to about everything that goes into taking care of your teeth daily, your teeth will thank you. It starts with what you put in your mouth. By cutting back on sugar, you will cut off the problem at the root. You can help clean your mouth by staying hydrated with plenty of plain water. You should brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. And you should go to the dentist regularly for check-ups to stay healthy and be sure you stay on top of your oral health. Maintaining good oral health can help all other facets of your health and aid in healthy aging.
