Healthcare And Education Premises Should Ban Sugary Drinks And Snacks, Says UK Charity

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 15 Oct 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Britain's leading oral health charity has called for a UK-wide ban on sales of fizzy drinks and sugary snacks on healthcare and education premises.

The British Dental Health Foundation applauds NHS Tayside's announcement this week that it will stop stocking unhealthy drinks in vending machines and canteens, and calls for similar schemes to be rolled out across Britain.

Fizzy drinks have been replaced by healthier options such as unsweetened fruit juices and bottled water in pilot schemes in the Scottish health authority's premises, and will be banned by March next year.

The move could set a benchmark for health and education organisations' snack and meal menus - the Foundation adding sugary snacks to the list of undesirables.

Such changes make statement on behalf of health authorities, and will boost oral health and overall health.

Foundation chief executive Dr Nigel Carter BDS LDS (RCS), said: "The Foundation not only backs the NHS Tayside decision, but calls for a UK-wide ban on sugary drinks and snacks in hospitals, surgeries, health centres and schools.

"Sugary products taken between meals are the main cause of tooth decay, which can lead to fillings and extractions. Your teeth are under acid attack and risk of decay for up to an hour each time you eat sugary products.

"Poor diet has also been linked with gum disease - which not only threatens tooth loss, but overall health. Research is proving time and time gain that gum disease is linked to diabetes, heart disease, strokes and premature and low birth-weight babies.

"A healthy mouth can lead to a healthy body, so we hope everyone can do their bit to promote a healthy, balanced diet."

The Foundation's annual 'National Smile Month' campaign has long promoted the simple message 'Brush for Health'. Banning unhealthy products in healthcare centres follows that message perfectly.

Good oral healthcare depends not only on brushing teeth twice a day and visiting the dentist regularly - but on a healthy diet. Savoury snacks such as nuts, cheeses, yoghurts or raw vegetables balance the ph in the mouth to combat acid erosion.

By tackling the sale of unhealthy snacks in schools, young people can be encouraged to get into good oral health habits at an early age. Currently half of the nation's children under five years old suffer from tooth decay.

The British Dental Health Foundation is an independent charity that along with its global arm, the International Dental Health Foundation, is dedicated to improving the oral health of the public by providing free and impartial dental advice, by running educational campaigns like National Smile Month and by informing and influencing the public, profession and government on issues such as mouth cancer awareness and water fluoridation.

http://www.dentalhealth.org