WEDNESDAY, December 27, 2006, was the first working day after the Christmas holidays. I was one of the five dentists who worked at the National Dental Centre which was located at the corner of Thomas and Quamina Streets. When I drove into the compound that morning to work, my vehicle was immediately surrounded by what seemed to be over 100 persons.

I soon realised that I was the only dentist who had turned up to work on that day. I will never forget this day since I never did so many extractions on the same occasion during my entire career which exceeds three decades.

Studies show that during the last week of the year there is a four hundred per cent increase in new dental cavities. In addition, more than half of the existing caries deteriorate to the extent whereby painful symptoms began to manifest. Why is it that this exacerbation of dental disease generally takes place at Christmas time?
The reason is simply because of the higher sucrose (sugar) ingestion together with the lapse in maintaining oral hygiene concomitant to the disruption in routine personal activities, which occur during the festive season.

A famous dentist once remarked that “people have always liked a sweet tooth, but sweet never liked the tooth.” Cakes, candies, jellies, chocolates and dried fruits are among the most cariogenic (caries forming) foods in existence and they are consumed indiscriminately at this time of the year. The bacteria of dental plaque ( a thin gelatinous layer on the enamel) ferment these substances quite readily to produce the acid that erodes the tooth’s enamel causing caries.

In Australia, Cuba, England and the United States, each citizen consumes over 100 pounds of sugar a year. As in these countries, those who sell soft drinks, sugar and sweets in Guyana, experience between three and five-fold increase in sales during the Christmas season.

For some years research has been progressing successfully in the quest to substitute sugar with artificial sweetener. Sorbitol, mannitol and saccharin are being produced in increasing quantities. These ascribe the sweet taste like natural sugar. But when one considers that sugar is not necessary for good health, there is a clear appreciation for the value of avoiding it given its deleterious effect on the teeth and general well-being.

A valuable starting point is for a person’s attitude to reflect an understanding of the mechanism of action of the disease process. Remember that a tooth cannot decay unless acid is involved and the bacteria can only produce the acid from sugar and to a less extent, starch.

If you find it difficult to avoid the “sweets of the season,” then after eating them, rinse your mouth thoroughly with half a teaspoon of baking soda ( not baking powder) mixed in a cup (8 ounces) of water.
Have a happy and cavity-free Season!