Prevent tooth decay: be careful when eating

The common caries bacteria are not only happy about negligent oral hygiene, they also love sugary foods and drinks. The reason: the sugar, which they convert into acids, serves as food for them. However, the acids can remove important minerals from the tooth enamel. This in turn can damage the teeth and lead to tooth decay. To prevent this from happening in the first place, dentists advise young and old to keep an eye on their diet to prevent tooth decay! However, this is not always so easy. This is because many ready-made products contain hidden sugar. This applies, for example, to sausages, rusks, salad dressings and gherkins.

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via Anna-Lisa
08/07/2017, 12:22
Familie strahlt in die Kamera© iStock
For a radiantly beautiful smile, you should largely avoid sugar

Be careful with maltose too

This also applies to soft drinks. A 250 ml glass can contain six sugar cubes, which equates to around 18 g. And what we don't always think about is that there are many other types of sugar besides household sugar (sucrose). For example, dextrose, maltose and maltodextrin are also sugars. But beware! These are no better if you want to prevent tooth decay because they are also converted into acids. This is explained by the proDente initiative from Cologne.

What we should also pay attention to: The indications sugar-free, unsweetened or without added sugar only mean that no household sugar has been used. However, other types of sugar may be included. The good news is that a new regulation has recently come into force to give consumers a better overview. Food manufacturers must print the nutritional table on the packaging. This means that all types of sugar used must be listed and the total sugar content indicated. The advantage: we can compare different products directly when shopping.

25 grams of sugar a day

The best way to prevent tooth decay is to follow the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO). This is: do not consume more than 25 grams of sugar a day. In addition, sweet snacks and sweet drinks should not be consumed in excess. This is explained by Professor Dietmar Oesterreich, Vice President of the German Dental Association.

If you want to be on the safe side, you can look out for the seal of Aktion Zahnfreundlich e. V. when shopping. This is a painted tooth man with an umbrella.

We can reduce our risk of tooth decay by quenching our thirst with (mineral) water in particular. As black and green tea can inhibit bacterial growth, we can drink these beverages with a clear conscience. Fruit rounds off a healthy diet as it contains many vital substances. However, the acids can damage the teeth. Therefore, rinse your mouth with water after eating and wait about 30 minutes before brushing. Always finish meals with some cheese such as Edam, Gorgonzola or Parmesan. These contain anti-caries ingredients such as casein.