Tooth Decay: Modern Lifestyle, A Food For Thought?
Modern lifestyle habits may have a greater influence on avoiding tooth decay than diet alone, claims new research from scientists at the Leeds Dental Institute.
Experts have long since contended that sugar consumption is the root cause of tooth decay, but the review, published in the journal Obesity Reviews, found no association between sugar intake and tooth decay following evaluation of 31 studies from the past 150 years.
The authors concluded that the effects of modern lifestyle habits including good oral hygiene, use of fluoride toothpaste and health education supersede the sole effects of food on tooth decay.
Professor Monty Duggal, a consultant, Head of Paediatric Dentistry and review author, observed that “Nowadays, it’s not enough to just look at what we eat when talking about tooth decay, as other factors seem to be as important”, adding “fluoride toothpaste changes the effect that some foods have on the teeth, as do other good oral hygiene practices.”
Following the findings Professor Duggal feels that future research should consider the range of lifestyle factors that may affect tooth decay.
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