Diet

A diet high in sugar (e.g., soda, candy, ice cream) will markedly increase the risk of caries (decay). In the U.S. older adults consume more sugar-containing foods than young adults. Dietary guidance programs have mainly been aimed at children and young adults. There is a clear need to expand dietary guidance programs that have been primarily targeted to at children and young adults to older adults. Some older adults are advised to eat several light meals a day which increases the frequency of cariogenic challenges. Snacking before bedtime is particularly contraindicated because saliva production virtually ceases while sleeping. Most individuals do not have the discipline to continually restrict sweets. However, pragmatic solutions for modifying detrimental dietary habits are available. Sugar containing food and drink should be consumed at mealtime rather than between meals as snacks. Sugar substitutes ,e.g. saccharin, aspartame, sorbitol or xylitol, can help satisfy a "sweet tooth".