Is diet advice on your menu of treatments?

Sugars are the most important dietary factor contributing to dental caries. Different foods carry different dental health risks, with those containing non-milk, extrinsic sugars potentially the most damaging. In the UK, sugared soft drinks and confectionery contribute approximately 50% to total intake of non-milk extrinsic sugars. Dental patients should, therefore, be encouraged to reduce the frequency of intake of sugary foods. The intake of acidic foods and drinks contributes to dental erosion and consumption of such foods should also be limited. General advice is that dietary guidance to dental patients should be positive and personalised (if possible) and in line with current dietary recommendations for general health. Here, our panel of experts offer their views…