SUGAR – effects on dental health

Zak Arin6th May 2015

Structure of talkDaily intakeEffect on the brainEffects on Dental healthArtificial sweetenersSolutionsConclusionReferencesQuestions and answers

Daily IntakeHow much sugar should you take

in a day?

One can of coke contains 35 grams; that’s equivalent to 7 teaspoons of sugar

Effect on the brainIt has been argued that sugar has the same effect on the brain as cocaine.

Sugar releases dopamine into the brain giving people a temporary high.Global problems inherent regarding brands such as Coca Cola.

Effects on dental health

Effects on dental health cont’d

Aspartame Acesulfame potassiumSplenda

All these can be found in…

Artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners found in zero/ diet fizzy drinks are (arguably) just as bad.

There are 92 different side effects associated with aspartame. Some of these include depression, high blood pressure and epilepsy.

Solutions

Drink more water – water contains all the minerals the human body needs and has zero calories.

Eat fruit – fruit may contain sugar but studies have shown that you would need to eat 7 portions of fruit a day before your teeth would decay at the same rate as someone having one can of coke a day.

Sugar tax – the food corporations that put excess sugar in their products could be taxed for doing so

France has already begun this process and has seen a decline in obesity over the past year.

May be an agenda item for (dental) health in the future.

ConclusionEven though sugar may be bad for you,

humans do need it as part of a balanced healthy diet, its taking sugar in excess that causes problems.

So you can still put sugar in your tea and coffee as long as you don’t put seven teaspoons in it.

Remember that the maximum amount of sugar a human should take a day is 25 grams.

ReferencesWebsiteswww.webmd.comwww.sweetpoison.comwww.nhs.co.uk

Other sourcesCourse information from MoodleGDC infoDental practice handouts (various)Bing and Google images (photographs)

Questions and AnswersThank you for listening.

I would now like to take any questions you may have on the content of today’s presentation.