DIET AND DENTAL CARIES

  Dental caries also known as tooth decay or cavity is an infection bacterial in origin that causes demineralization and destruction of the hard tissue of the teeth ( Enamela, dentin and cementum). It is a result of the production of acid by bacterial fermentation of food debris accumulated on the tooth surface. Many factors influence caries development, including the presence of plague-producing bacterial, innate susceptibility of tooth surface, frequency of eating, snacking behaviour, oral hygiene practices, fluoride availability and salivary flow and composition. All carbohydrates, including starchy foods especially highly processed starches in savoury snacks and foods containing sugars such as cakes, biscuits, jam, honey, fruit and fruit juices can be used by bacteria to produce acids which accelerate demineralization of the tooth enamel. Saliva contains protective minerals (calcium and phosphates) that buffer the bacterial acids and promote remineralization. The greater the salivary flow, the more rapid remineralization. It is the balance between acid production and salivary recovery that determines susceptibility to caries.
  Repeated acid attacks which do not give teeth the time to recover increases risk of dental caries, so small amount of sugar and other fermentable carbohydrates eaten frequently during the day will increase the risk of dental caries than large amount eaten infrequently. Additionally, the amount of sugar consumed is less important than how quickly it is cleared from the mouth. Sticky foods like bread stay in the mouth much longer and increases the potential for tooth decay. Calcium rich foods can help protect against demineralization.

  SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DENTAL CARIES
People who suffer from malnutrition or who have low salivary flow are at increased risk of dental caries. Children from lower socio-economic groups and the elderly are more susceptible to poor oral health.  People who smoke and drink alcohol regularly are at an increased risk of tooth decay, this is because tobacco can interfere with the production of saliva, which helps keep the surface of your teeth clean and alcohol can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel . Also medical condition like sjogren's syndrome (a condition where the body's immune system attacks glands that secretes fluids such as tear and saliva glands ) and certain medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, radiotherapy etc, can affect dental health.
MEASURES TO PREVENT DENTAL CARIES
The decline in the prevalence of caries and the dramatic improvement in dental health seen in many countries are largely attribute to the wide spread availability of fluoride  toothpaste, fluoridated water supplies and improved oral hygiene. It is advised to brush the teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
  For more info. contact

Kenneth Mercy (B.sc Human Nutrition & Dietetics)
Consultant Nutritionist
http://mercynutritioncorner.blogspot.com
kennethmercy@yahoo.com
+234 806 134 4343