Food and Your Teeth. We can helpp. Healthy Eating On A Plate: Module 6. Healthy Eating Local Policies and Programs

Transcription

1 We can helpp Building community capacity to promote healthy eating Healthy Eating On A Plate: Module 6 Food and Your Teeth

2 Contents Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Learning Outcomes Key Messages Checklist for session Session outline: Food and Your Teeth Presenter notes for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Importance of dental health What is tooth decay? Causes of tooth decay Factors that increase the risk of tooth decay Preventing tooth decay Tap water Snack Ideas Recap of main points Group Discussion Some things to consider when presenting this module Website Resources Appendices Appendix A: Resources Activity sheet Which is the better choice for your teeth? Activity sheet; Answers Which is the better choice for your teeth? Handout Keep your teeth healthy Appendix B: Script and Flashcards

3 Module 6: Food and Your Teeth This module provides basic information on tooth decay and how it can be prevented with an emphasis on children s dental health. Learning Outcomes; By the end of the session participants will be able to: Understand the basic process of tooth decay Identify food and drinks that can cause tooth decay Which food and drinks are best for teeth health Identify simple changes to eating habits which prevent tooth decay Key messages: Breastfeed your baby if possible Swap snacks high in added sugar for those with no added sugar like fruit and vegetables Have sugary food and drinks as part of a meal rather than on their own Eat at set times during the day rather than grazing Drink plain tap water Brush teeth twice a day(after breakfast and before bed), and go for regular check-ups with the dentist Spit toothpaste out, but do not rinse Once teeth are through - lift the lip of children once a month to check for early signs of tooth decay Checklist for session: Script and flashcard set for Food and Your Teeth Tooth decay simulation (you will need to prepare this demonstration at least two days before the session, see page 6) - equipment required: 1 egg, 1 clear jar with lid, white vinegar and a permanent texta Activity sheet - Which is the better choice for your teeth? Activity sheet Answers - Which is the better choice for your teeth? Handout Keep your teeth healthy Optional - order brochures translated in several languages from SA Dental Service Pens Healthy Eating on a Plate Module 6, November

4 Session outline: Food and Your Teeth Time Activity Resources required 2 mins Introduction and overview of the session Understand the basic process of tooth decay Identify food and drinks that can cause tooth decay Which food and drinks are best for teeth health Identify simple changes to eating habits which help prevent tooth decay 10 mins Importance of dental health Discussion Points: Importance of dental health What is tooth decay? Most tooth decay is preventable 5 mins Causes of tooth decay Factors that increase the risk of tooth decay Food and drinks that cause tooth decay Simulation of how acid affects tooth enamel 5 mins Prevention of tooth decay Discussion Points: Breastfeed babies where possible Swap snacks high in added sugar for fruit and vegetables If Have having sugary sugary food food and and drinks drinks, as part have of them a meal as part of a meal Limit grazing and eat at set times Drink plenty of water (especially tap water) Brush teeth twice a day Spit toothpaste out, but do not rinse Once teeth are through - lift the lip once a month 3 mins Why is water, especially tap water so important? Discussion Points: Cheap and safe to drink Tap water contains fluoride which protects teeth 5 mins Snack ideas for children Snack ideas that won t harm teeth Flashcards: What is tooth decay? Flashcards: Food and drinks that can cause tooth decay Factors that increase the risk of tooth decay Demonstration: Simulation of tooth decay eggshell soaked in vinegar prepared at least two days in advance Flashcards: Keep your teeth healthy Flashcard: Tap water Flashcard: Snack ideas 2 mins Recap of main points Flashcard: Keep your teeth healthy 5 mins In-class activity Activity sheet - Which is the Participants will will complete the the activity sheet Which is is the the better better choice for your choice for for your your teeth? teeth? Answer sheet - Which is the Discuss answers as as a a group better choice for your Group In-cl discussion teeth? Discuss what changes participants plan to make at home 4

5 Presenter notes for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Importance of dental health Teeth are needed for eating, talking, and smiling. Humans only get two sets of teeth - baby teeth and adult teeth. Baby teeth are eventually replaced by adult teeth that are meant to last until death. Approximately 50% of Australian children will have some form of tooth decay by six years of age (Australian Dental Association, 2012). This is problematic given that tooth decay or the premature loss of baby teeth can have implications for the health of adult teeth. When baby teeth fall out, the spaces left behind are filled by the adult teeth. Premature loss of the baby teeth can mean there is not enough Baby teeth start to fall out from about six years of age. The last baby teeth will be replaced by adult teeth at around years of age. space for the adult teeth to come through and this may cause over-crowding of teeth. In turn this can create difficulty in cleaning teeth properly and therefore increase the risk of tooth decay in adult teeth. It is important to care for the baby teeth as they are creating space for the adult teeth. Good oral health is linked closely to overall general health and some of the same factors that influence general health also influence dental health. In addition, pain and discomfort can significantly impact on a person s ability to socialise, eat, talk, sleep, work and go about their daily lives. What is tooth decay? Display What is tooth decay? flashcard Tooth decay happens gradually and can occur in either baby teeth or adult teeth. Bacteria (or germs) live in the mouth and collect around the base of the gums in a sticky colourless film called plaque. Some bacteria are able to covert sugar to acid. If this acid is left on the tooth surface for a long enough period of time the acid may cause the top layer of the tooth (the enamel) to progressively become weak (demineralisation). This can lead to holes forming in the tooth, which may be painful (but not always). The more occasions teeth are exposed to this process over a day, the more likely it is that tooth decay will develop. Saliva and fluoride (in toothpaste and tap water) can help to neutralise acid formed by bacteria. It is important to realise that most tooth decay is preventable! Causes of tooth decay Display Food and drinks that can cause tooth decay flashcard There are certain foods and drinks that can cause tooth decay, including: Food and drinks that are high in added sugar such as lollies, cake, icecream and soft drinks Acidic drinks such as fruit juice, soft drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks. These include so-called diet soft drinks. Acidic drinks cause erosion which is different to the decay caused by sugary drinks. Sugary drinks such as soft drinks can also be acidic. This includes drinks that contain phosphoric acid, citric acid or tartaric acid (at least one of these ingredients is in most soft drinks including diet soft drinks) Sticky foods, such as dried fruit are more likely to stick to the surface of the teeth Allowing the teeth to be constantly coated with food or drink is also a problem, such as when a child takes a bottle of drink to bed (including milk) and is allowed to fall asleep whilst sucking on the bottle. Healthy Eating on a Plate Module 6, November

6 Factors that increase the risk of tooth decay Display Factors that increase the risk of tooth decay flashcard Bacteria in the mouth use sugar to produce acid. The acid and the sugar can stick to teeth and begin to dissolve tooth enamel. This happens for up to 30 minutes after eating. However, there are certain factors that determine the rate of tooth decay, these include: Bacteria The number of bacteria in the mouth varies between people, however regular brushing (morning and night) is an important process which helps to remove bacteria which produce acid. Type of food and drink The type of food and drink consumed is a significant factor for the development of tooth decay. Food and drinks high in sugar such as confectionery, soft drinks and biscuits are broken down rapidly in the mouth and attract acid-causing bacteria. Frequency The greater the number of meals or drinks over a day containing sugar, the more times teeth are exposed to acid. The more times teeth are exposed to this process over a day, the more likely it is that tooth decay will develop Time The longer the teeth are exposed to sugar the greater the opportunity to convert the sugar into acid, which then attacks tooth enamel. For example, sucking on a lollipop means that sugar remains in the mouth for a long period of time. Strength of tooth enamel The strength of tooth enamel is an important factor in the rate of tooth decay. The weaker the tooth enamel, the faster the rate of decay. Soft drinks (even diet soft drinks) contain phosphoric acid and in some cases citric acid. These acids can cause the erosion of tooth enamel. Demonstrate a simulation of tooth decay ** You will need to prepare this display approximately 4 days prior to the session** How to prepare tooth decay representation Equipment 1 egg 1 cup of white vinegar 1 clear jar with a lid Permanent texta Method 1. Crack an eggshell in half 2. Place one half of the shell in a clear jar and pour vinegar over the top of the shell until at least half of the eggshell is covered 3. Clean and dry the other half of the egg shell and put aside 4. Place a lid on the jar and label the jar with the date 5. After two days holes should start to appear in the eggshell 6. For the demonstration, compare the vinegar soaked eggshell with the eggshell that was not covered in vinegar NOTE: Vinegar is similar to the acid produced in the mouth after a meal is eaten, especially one high in sugar, and simulates what can happen to tooth enamel over time with regular consumption of foods high in sugar. 6

7 Display Keep your teeth healthy flashcard Preventing tooth decay Breastfeed your baby if possible. Breastfeeding is better for baby s dental health than bottle feeding. Breast milk contains a substance that kills the bacteria which produce acid. Also breast milk does not coat the teeth like bottle feeding does as the milk is released at the back of the throat. If a baby falls asleep at the breast, the milk flow stops. Whereas if a bottle is in the mouth when the baby is asleep, it continues to drip into the mouth and coat the teeth Swap snacks high in added sugar for foods with no added sugar such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Eat a balanced diet consisting of plenty of whole grains, fruit, vegetables and dairy Milk, cheese and yoghurt have a protective effect and stop the breakdown of enamel Limit foods high in sugar Limit sticky foods such as muesli bars and dried fruit If having sugary food and drinks, have them as part of a meal rather than on their own. This is because our mouth makes more saliva during a meal, and saliva helps to neutralise acid. For example have an orange juice with crackers and cheese rather than on its own Eat at set times rather than grazing. By eating at set times, teeth get a break from acid and bacteria attacks. These breaks help to replace minerals in teeth Drink plain tap water regularly throughout the day instead of acidic or sugary drinks such as soft drinks, cordial or juice Brush teeth morning and night to reduce the bacteria that cause plaque and remove any food pieces from the mouth; however don t brush teeth straight away after having sugary or acidic food or drinks. Wait for half an hour to give your mouth time to produce enough saliva to neutralise some of the acid Spit toothpaste out, but do not rinse after brushing teeth. The fluoride in the toothpaste helps to strengthen the teeth. Have regular check-ups at the dentist. Everyone has different oral health needs and risk levels. Visit your dentist regularly and discuss how often you need to visit the dentist. Lift the lip. Once teeth have come through, lift your child s top lip once a month to check for early signs of tooth decay. White lines along the gum line can be the beginning of tooth decay and should be checked out by a dentist Tap water Display Tap water flashcard Why is water, especially tap water so important? Water does not contain sugar and will not damage teeth like other high sugar or acidic drinks e.g. soft drink, juice and cordial Plain tap water is a good drink to have after snacks as it contains added fluoride which helps to replace minerals in teeth and strengthen enamel South Australian water has undergone an extensive treatment process and is safe to drink without further treatment or filtering (Government of South Australia, 2010). Fluoridation of water has been researched extensively and is endorsed by national and international health organisations (Government of South Australia, 2010). Fluoride is a natural mineral found in fish, tea and natural water sources. It is added to the water supply in very small amounts, at a level to protect teeth. The levels of fluoride are regularly checked to ensure they are at safe levels. Drinking water can help flush away food or drink remaining in the mouth after eating/drinking which means less opportunity for bacteria to produce acid Tap water is also one of the cheapest drinks available Healthy Eating on a Plate Module 6, November

8 Snack Ideas Display Snack ideas flashcard Examples of snacks suitable for children or adults that are tooth-friendly : Dairy foods (milk, yoghurt, cheese): Milk provides protection against tooth decay The protein component (casein) coats teeth with a protective film and stops the loss of calcium and phosphorus from teeth, when exposed to acid The phosphorus and calcium present in milk also protect tooth enamel by assisting with remineralisation (The Dairy Council, 2012) Lactose, the natural sugar in milk, is the least damaging of all of the sugars Cheese and yoghurt have the same protective qualities as milk. Cheese has the additional benefit of promoting the production of saliva, which assists in neutralising acid and washing away pieces of food When selecting dairy products, choose those with reduced or no added sugar and reduced or low-fat varieties. Fruit with skins are a good snack Hard fruit and vegetables such as Eggs and nuts are a snack full of protein and no sugar. Choose raw apple, carrot and celery should unsalted nuts. not be given to children under Fruit bread, although it is NOT an everyday food because it is sticky four years of age because of the and high in sugar - is still a better choice than lollies or chocolate. choking risk. Spread it with cream cheese or have it with a glass of milk and rinse with water afterwards Vegetable sticks and reduced-fat dip are a good choice, (tzatziki, hommus, eggplant) Tap water is a good drink to have after snacks as it contains added fluoride which helps to replace minerals in teeth and strengthen enamel. Recap of main points Display Snack ideas flashcard Breastfeed your baby if possible Swap snacks high in added sugar for foods with no added sugar such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains and include reduced or low-fat dairy products Eat at set times. Grazing or eating often, means that teeth are always exposed to sugars. Teeth need a break from food and drink to replace minerals Drink plain tap water regularly throughout the day instead of acidic or sugary drinks such as soft drinks, juice and cordial. The fluoride in tap water helps to replace minerals in teeth Brush teeth after breakfast and before bed and visit the dentist regularly Spit toothpaste out, but don t rinse Once teeth are through lift the lip of children once a month to check for early warning signs of decay 8

9 Distribute Which is the better choice for your teeth? activity sheet to participants Give participants enough time to fill in the activity sheet and then go through the answers. Clarify any points and collect the sheets. Make a note of how many participants complete the activity sheet correctly. Group discussion Group discussion and evaluation What will you take away from the session today? Do you feel more confident about the ways in which you can prevent tooth decay, than you did before the session? What changes, if any, do you plan to make as a result of todays session? Make notes of comments throughout the session and questions asked during completion of the activity sheets and during demonstration. An overall evaluation will be conducted at the end of all the sessions. Handout Keep your teeth healthy Optional - order brochures translated in several languages from SA Dental Service Some things to consider when presenting this module: Parents may not be aware that children up to 18 years of age are eligible to attend the School Dental Service. Refer them to or call SA Dental Service to find their local clinic. Healthy Eating on a Plate Module 6, November

10 Website resources Australian Dental Association Information for Parents The Australian Dental Association s website has produced a number of resources in an easy to read style. Follow the links on the webpage for information on a range of subjects, including tooth friendly foods and drinks, tooth development and healthy eating South Australian Dental Service Health Promotion Resources This site has useful information on a number of topics including: Information on the School Dental Service in South Australia Resources for adults, children and teenagers Resources translated into a number of different languages for download or order The Dairy Council Milk This site provides a summary of the evidence that milk has a protective effect against tooth decay SA Health Preventing choking on food: Children under 4 years of age Children under 4 years of age are particularly vulnerable to choking. This factsheet, produced by SA Health provides useful information about modifying food for this age group to minimise the risk of choking SA Health Water and fluoride Water quality fact sheet Rainwater+testing The South Australian Department of Health has produced a fact sheet on rainwater tanks including the safety of rainwater for drinking and maintenance of rainwater tanks Water quality: fluoridation facts A fact sheet produced by the South Australian Department of Health on the benefits of fluoridation. 10

11 Healthy Eating on a Plate Module 6, November 2013 Appendix A Resources Module 6: Food and Your Teeth 11

12 Resources for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Which is the better choice for your teeth? OR OR orange juice milk OR eating sticky foods at a main meal between meals dried fruit fresh fruit OR bottled water tap water crackers OR wholemeal crackers and cheese 12

13 ANSWERS Which is the better choice for your teeth? orange juice OR milk Milk is the better choice for your teeth because it contains calcium and proteins that protect your teeth. The natural sugar in milk is also the least damaging to teeth of all the sugars. dried fruit OR fresh fruit Fresh fruit contains less concentrated sugar than dried fruit and is not sticky. OR Plain tap water contains fluoride which strengthens tooth enamel. Bottled water is unlikely to contain fluoride. bottled water tap water Healthy Eating on a Plate Module 6, November

14 ANSWERS Which is the better choice for your teeth? eating sticky foods at a main meal crackers Module 6: Food and Your Teeth, June 2013 OR OR between meals wholemeal crackers & cheese This does not mean you have to eat cheese every time you eat a cracker, it s about reducing damage to teeth : The occasional cracker on its own is alight, however if this is something you eat on a regular basis: Wholemeal is better than white Having milk, cheese, yoghurt (or cheese or yoghurt based dip) with crackers is better than eating them on the own. At a main meal more saliva is produced. Saliva helps to neutralise acids produced from consuming sugary food and drinks. When crackers are eaten with cheese more saliva is produced which reduces acid production. Cheese also helps to reduce the loss of calcium and phosphorus from the teeth when exposed to acid. Wholemeal crackers are a better choice than white varieties because they are higher in fibre. Choose reduced- fat cheese, most of the time. 14

15 Resources for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Keep your teeth healthy 4 Breastfeed your baby if possible 4 Eat at set times rather than grazing 4 Swap snacks and drinks high in added sugar for fruit and vegetables 4 Drink plenty of plain tap water 4 Have If having sugary sugary food and foods drinks and drinks, as part of a have meal them rather as part than of on a their meal own rather than on their own own 4 Brush teeth after breakfast and before bed 4 Don t rinse after brushing 4 Have regular check- ups with the dentist 4 Once teeth are through - lift the lip once a month 15

16 Appendix B Script & flashcards Module 6: Food and Your Teeth 16 Telephone: helpp@flinders.edu.au

17 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth This page has been left intentionally blank 17

18 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Today we are going to be talking about how food and drinks affect teeth. We ll be looking at: The basic process of tooth decay Which food and drinks can cause tooth decay Which food and drinks are best for your teeth health How you can make simple changes to your eating habits to prevent tooth decay We can helpp Building community capacity to promote healthy eating Module 6: Food and Your Teeth We get two sets of teeth in our life time We get our baby teeth around six months old and start to lose them at around six years of age to make way for our adult teeth Approximately 50% of Australian children will have some form of tooth decay by six years of age It is important to care for the baby teeth as they are creating the spaces for the adult teeth When baby teeth fall out the spaces that are left behind are filled by the adult teeth. If the baby teeth are lost before they are supposed to be there may not be enough space for the adult teeth to come through and this may cause over crowding of teeth An overcrowded mouth can make it difficult to clean teeth properly and this can lead to an increase in the risk of tooth decay in adult teeth Good oral health is linked closely to overall general health and some of the same factors that influence general health also influence dental health. In addition, pain and discomfort can significantly impact on a person s ability to socialise, eat, talk, sleep, work and go about their daily lives. 18

19 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth We can helpp Building community capacity to promote healthy eating Module 6: Food and Your Teeth 19

20 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth What is tooth decay? Tooth decay is the damage of tooth enamel It happens gradually and can occur in either baby teeth or adult teeth Bacteria (or germs) live in the mouth and collect around the base of the gums in a substance called plaque. Plaque is a sticky colourless film. Some bacteria are able to covert sugar to acid. If this acid is left on the tooth surface for a long enough period of time the acid may cause the top layer of the tooth (the enamel) to gradually become weak. This can lead to holes forming in the tooth which may be painful (but not always). Saliva and fluoride (in toothpaste and tap water) can help to neutralise acid forming bacteria. It is important to realise that most tooth decay is preventable! 20

21 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth What is tooth decay? Tooth decay is the damage of tooth enamel. sugary food and drinks + bacteria in the mouth + acid attacks teeth It is important to remember that tooth decay is preventable! 21

22 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth There are certain foods and drinks that can cause tooth decay, including: o Food and drinks that are high in added sugar such as lollies, cake, ice cream and soft drinks o Drinks that are acidic such as fruit juice, soft drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks. These include so called diet soft drinks. o Acidic drinks cause erosion which is different to the decay caused by sugary drinks. Sugary soft drinks can also be acidic. This includes drinks that contain phosphoric acid, citric acid or tartaric acid (at least one of these ingredients is in most soft drinks, including diet soft drinks) o Sticky foods, such as dried fruit are more likely to stick to the surface of the teeth o Allowing the teeth to be constantly coated with food or drink is also a problem, such as when a child takes a bottle of drink to bed (including milk) and is allowed to fall asleep whilst sucking on the bottle. Demonstrate a simulation of tooth decay Half of an eggshell has been soaking in vinegar for 2 days The other half has not been soaking in vinegar Demonstration Simulation of tooth decay How to prepare tooth decay representation Equipment 1 egg 1 cup of white vinegar 1 clear jar with a lid Permanent texta Method 1. Crack an eggshell in half 2. Place one half of the shell in a clear jar and pour vinegar over the top of the shell until at least half of the eggshell is covered 3. Clean and dry the other half of the egg shell and put aside 4. Place a lid on the jar and label the jar with the date 5. After two days holes should start to appear in the eggshell 6. For the demonstrations, compare the vinegar soaked eggshell with the eggshell that was not covered in vinegar. Vinegar is similar to the acid produced in the mouth after a meal is eaten, especially one high in sugar. You will notice that the shell that was soaking in vinegar is discoloured and weaker than the other shell. This simulates what can happen to tooth enamel when we constantly have food and drinks high in sugar. 22

23 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Food and drinks that can cause tooth decay Honey 23

24 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Bacteria in the mouth use sugar to produce acid. The acid and the sugar stick to the teeth and begin to dissolve the top layer of the teeth (known as the tooth enamel). This happens for up to 30 minutes after eating. However, certain things can speed up the rate of tooth decay, these include: o Bacteria The number of bacteria in the mouth varies between people, however regular brushing (after breakfast and before bed) is an important process which helps to remove bacteria which produce acid. o Type of food or drink The type of food and drink eaten is really important for the development of tooth decay. Food and drinks high in sugar such as confectionery, soft drinks and biscuits are broken down fast in the mouth and attract acid causing bacteria. o Time The longer the teeth are exposed to sugars the greater the opportunity to convert the sugar into acid, which then attacks tooth enamel. For example, sucking on a lollipop means that sugar remains in the mouth for a long period of time. o Frequency (how many times you eat over the day) The greater the number of meals over the day, the more times teeth are exposed to acid, particularly if meals are high in sugar. The more times teeth are exposed to this process over a day, the more likely it is that tooth decay will develop. o Strength of tooth enamel The strength of tooth enamel is an important factor in the rate of tooth decay. The weaker the tooth enamel, the faster the rate of decay. Soft drinks (even diet soft drinks) contain acid which can cause damage to tooth enamel. 24

25 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Factors that increase the risk of tooth decay 1. Bacteria and teeth 2. Type of food or drink 3. Time 4. How many times you eat or drink over the day 5. Strength of tooth 25

26 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth There are some simple things that you can do to keep your teeth healthy: Breastfeed your baby where possible. Breastfeeding is better for the baby s dental health than bottle fee ding. Breast milk contains a substance that kills the bacteria which produce acid. Also breast milk does not coat the teeth like bottle feeding does as the milk is released at the back of the throat. If a baby falls asleep at the breast, the milk flow stops. Whereas if a bottle is in the mouth when the baby is asleep, it continues to drip into the mouth and coat the teeth Swap snacks high in added sugar for foods with no added sugar such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Eat a balanced diet containing plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Also include reduced or low fat dairy products Have sugary food and drinks as part of a meal rather than on their own. This is because our mouth makes more saliva during a meal, and saliva helps to neutralise acid Eat at set times rather than grazing. By eating at set times, teeth get a break from acid and bacteria attacks. These breaks help to put minerals back into the teeth Drink plain tap water regularly throughout the day instead of acidic drinks such as soft drinks, juice and cordial Brush teeth in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed to reduce the bacteria that cause plaque and remove any food residue from the mouth and have regular check ups with the dentist. Spit the toothpaste out, but do not rinse as the fluoride in the toothpaste will help to strengthen the teeth Lift the lip. Once teeth have come through, lift your child s top lip once a month to check for early signs of tooth decay. White lines along the gum line can be the beginning of tooth decay and should be checked out by a dentist 26

27 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Keep your teeth healthy 4 Breastfeed your baby if possible 4 Eat at set times rather than grazing 4 Swap snacks and drinks high in added sugar for fruit and vegetables 4 Drink plenty of plain tap water 4 If Have having sugary sugary food foods and and drinks drinks, as part of a have meal them rather as part than of a on meal their rather own than on their own 4 Brush teeth after breakfast and before bed 4 Don t rinse after brushing 4 Have regular check- ups with the dentist bed 4 Once teeth are through - lift the lip once a month 27

28 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Why is water, especially tap water so important? Plain tap water does not contain sugar and will not damage teeth like other drinks e.g. soft drink, juice and cordial Plain tap water is a good drink to have after snacks as it contains added fluoride which helps to put minerals back into teeth and strengthen enamel Fluoride occurs naturally and is also added to the water supply in very small amounts, at a level to protect teeth. The levels of fluoride are regularly checked to ensure they are safe Drinking plain tap water can help flush away food or drink remaining in the mouth after eating or drinking which means less opportunity for the bacteria to produce acid South Australian tap water has been treated and is safe to drink without further treatment or filtering Tap water is also one of the cheapest drinks available! 28

29 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Tap water no sugar safe to drink contains fluoride flushes mouth of food and drink low cost 29

30 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth What are some healthy snack options for children and adults that are tooth friendly? Dairy foods (milk, yoghurt, cheese): Milk provides protection against tooth decay The protein in milk (casein) coats teeth with a protective film and stops the loss of two important minerals (calcium and phosphorus) from teeth, when teeth are exposed to acid Lactose the natural sugar in milk, is the least damaging of all of the sugars Lactose the natural sugar in milk, is the least damaging of all of the sugars Cheese and yoghurt have the same protective qualities as milk. Cheese has the additional benefit of promoting the production of saliva, which assists in neutralising acid and washing away pieces of food When selecting dairy products, choose those with reduced or no added sugar and look for reduced or low fat varieties. Note: Reduced or low fat dairy foods are not suitable for children under 2 years of age. Plant based drinks such as rice, oat, coconut or almond drinks are not suitable substitutes for breast milk or formula in the first 12 months as they lack sufficient protein for infants Fruit with skins are a good snack. Unsalted pumpkin seeds and roasted chickpeas. Eggs are and a nuts snack are full a snack of protein full of and protein no sugar. (choose unsalted nuts). Fruit bread, although it is NOT an everyday food because it is sticky and has added sugar is still a better choice than lollies or chocolate. Spread it with cream cheese or have it with a glass of milk and rinse your mouth with water afterwards Vegetable sticks and reduced fat dip are a good choice (tzatziki, hommus, eggplant) or sushi rolls Tap water is a good drink to have after snacks as it contains added fluoride which helps to put minerals back into the teeth and strengthen enamel. It is important to note that hard fruit and vegetables such as raw apple, carrot and celery should not be given to children under four years of age because of the risk of choking 30

31 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Snack Ideas 31

32 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Before we finish today I have an activity sheet for everyone to fill out but before we do that let s quickly remember the key things we need to do to keep our teeth healthy: Breastfeed your baby where possible Swap snacks high in added sugar for those with no added sugar like fruit and vegetables If you choose to have sugary food and drinks have them as part of a meal rather than on their own Eat at set times during the day rather than grazing Drink plain tap water Brush teeth after breakfast and before bed, and go for regular check ups with the dentist Spit the toothpaste out, but don t rinse Lift the lip of children once a month to check for early signs of tooth decay 32

33 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Keep your teeth healthy 4 Breastfeed your baby if possible 4 Eat at set times rather than grazing 4 Swap snacks and drinks high in added sugar for fruit and vegetables 4 Drink plenty of plain tap water 4 Have If having sugary sugary food foods and drinks and drinks, as part of a have meal them rather as part than of on a meal their rather own than on their own 4 Brush teeth after breakfast and before bed 4 Don t rinse after brushing 4 Have regular check- ups with the dentist 4 Once teeth are through - lift the lip once a month 33

34 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Distribute the Which is the better choice for your teeth activity sheet to participants Explain to activity to participants ß There are pairs of food and drink choices. Put a circle around the one in each pair that you think is a better choice for your teeth ß Give participants about 3 minutes to complete the activity and then discuss the answers as a group (as per answer Group discussion sheets) What will you take away from the session? Do you feel more confident about the ways in which you can prevent tooth decay, than you did before the session? What changes, if any, do you plan to make as a result of todays session? Give participants Keep your teeth healthy handout 34

35 Script for Module 6: Food and Your Teeth Which is the better choice for your teeth? OR OR orange juice milk eating sticky foods at a main meal between meals OR dried fruit fresh fruit OR OR bottled water tap water crackers wholemeal crackers & cheese 35

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38 38 Developed by Health Eating Local () Funded by SA Health and managed by Nutrition & Dietetics, Flinders University Contact: Food Safety and Nutrition Branch, SA Health Telephone: (08) Nutrition & Dietetics, Flinders University Telephone: (08)