Managing a Sweet Tooth
You've undoubtedly heard that sugary foods are enemies of your dental health, but what may surprise you is that the kind of sugar you eat and when you eat it is crucial.

Do you know -

Which of these is worse for your teeth?

1.	a)	dried fruit
	b)	sweetened fruit drink
	c)	no difference
2.	a)	a big piece of pie for desert after a meal.
	b)	three smaller pieces at eleven o'clock, four o'clock and bedtime
	c)	no difference
The total amount of sugar you eat is not as important as the length of time your teeth are exposed to it.

So in the case of the dried fruit versus the fruit drink, the dried fuit is worse for your teeth because it will stick to your teeth longer. Sticky sugar foods like licorice, caramel and toffee are some of your teeth's worst enemies.

In the case of several pieces of pie throughout the day versus the large piece of pie for desert, the numerous snacks are worse, again because they expose your teeth to sugar for a longer period of time. During a meal, your mouth produces a great deal of saliva. This saliva protects your teeth by neutralizing the decay-producing acids produced by the sugar. But between meals, saliva production is reduced, so the sugar tends to stay in contact with your teeth longer. Also, since your salivary glands slow down even more while your're asleep, bedtime sugar snacks are particularly damaging.

So, to sum up: eating sweet food is a bad idea. Eating sweet, sticky food is a worse idea. Eating sweet food between meals is the worst of the lot.

 

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