What is oral health?
Oral health is achieved when the teeth and the oral environment are healthy, comfortable and functional. This state of oral health is achievable for the majority of the population and should persist for life.

The oral health of Irish people has improved over the past 40 years. The main reasons for this improvement include water fluoridation and the widespread availability of fluoride toothpaste combined with better knowledge of the importance of dental hygiene practice and good nutrition.

However, there is no place for complacency as several surveys have pointed to lifestyle habits that mean the risk of dental decay is still high. For example, a recent Health Board Dental Health survey reports that one in four five-year-olds and one in three 12-year-olds eat sweet snacks between meals three or more times a day.

In addition, the National Health & Lifestyle Survey also report that over 40 percent of teenagers are consuming high fat and high sugar foods three or more times daily.

As well as poor dietary habits, tobacco, alcohol, stress, accidents and injuries also affect oral health.

The importance of healthy eating

What we eat and drink plays an important role in good oral health.
While children and adolescents need a high-energy intake, this should not be associated with frequent consumption of soft drinks and high sugar snacks throughout the day as frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks is the highest cause of tooth decay.

Sugar is a good source of energy (calories). It is absorbed quickly into the body, giving you a boost of energy, but you will not feel full or satisfied for long. Complex carbohydrates such as cereal, bread and potato will give you longer lasting energy.

The key to healthy eating and a healthy smile is to only make a few small changes at a time and then gradually a few more. Try to:

• Eat a variety of foods using the food pyramid as a guide. Try to eat more foods from the bottom shelf like breads, cereals, potatoes, pasta, rice and more fruit and vegetables. These are kinder to teeth!
• Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
• Eat four or more portions of fruit and vegetables every day.
• Eat more foods rich in starch - bread, cereals, potatoes, pasta and rice.
• Eat more foods rich in fibre - bread and cereals (especially wholegrain), potatoes, fruit and vegetables. 
  

Alternatives to sugar

If you have a 'sweet tooth' and enjoy a lot of sugary foods the following suggestions may help you cut down on your sugar intake:

Instead of:
Sweets, chocolates, biscuits, cakes, pastry, thickly spread marmalade, jam, honey and syrup.
Try:
Fruit, plain biscuits, reduced sugar jams or thinly spread marmalades and jams

Instead of:
Sugar coated cereals.
Try:
Wholegrain, low sugar breakfast cereals

Instead of:
Fruit squashes and fizzy drinks.
Try:
Sugar free, low calorie soft drinks
 
Instead of:
Whole fat yoghurt, cakes, puddings.
Try:
Diet yoghurt, fruit in its own juice, sugar free desserts, low sugar milk puddings.

Instead of:
Sugar, sorbitol, fructose, glucose
Try:
Artificial sweeteners (Ask your community dietician about these)