Dental Caries

Dental caries or tooth decay is a health disorder due to the action of pathogenic bacteria.

Probable Causes

• Improper brushing of teeth

• Delayed brushing of teeth

• No brushing of teeth after eating

Note: The above causes result in prolonged contact of food (especially sugars) with tooth surface giving enough time for caries-promoting bacteria to feed on them. This, in turn, produces acid which softens the outer tooth surface making it weak and later broken. Through a broken surface, bacteria enter and attack the soft and more organic inner layers of the tooth.

Probable Symptoms

• Hypersensitivity of teeth to cold, heat and sugars

• Toothache

• Tooth cavity

• Foul breath

Helpful Dietary Management

• Serve a balanced diet in 3 regular meals. See balanced diet and mechanical soft diet.

• Avoid between-meal snacks particularly sugar-sweetened foods.

• Choose firm natural foods over soft sticky ones which stay longer in the mouth.

• Brush properly and immediately after meals.

• Floss at least once a day before going to bed.

 

Reference: Healing Wonders of Diet Effective Guide to Diet Therapy p.22 © 2003 Philippine Publishing House ISBN 971-581-013-6