diet analysis and education on oral health

Question 1

problems with diet diary

Answer 1

forget or lose sheet
change eating habits
observe a regligious festical or on speicla diet
write what they think you want to see
forget details

Question 2

approach to have a diet dairy

Answer 2

1) identify and target at risk patients (high caries experience or erosion)
- erosion from acid
2) ask them (or guardian) to keep a written record of everything they eat and drink for 3 days (including 1 weekend)
3) ask them to return it for you to appraise and give feedback

Question 3

diet advice for feedback for caries

Answer 3

1. Say something nice
2. Explain that the frequency of sugar ‘attacks’ needs to be reduced to prevent decay
3. Offer ‘safe’ alternative snacks/drinks
4. Advice against drinks for infants in a bottle
5. Recommend general healthy eating guidelines (5 a day!)
6. Reinforce the need for toothbrushing with F toothpaste twice a day

Question 4

diet advice for erosion

Answer 4

1. Discourage frequency and amount of acid drinks and food
2. Promote chilling of drinks (reduces erosive potential of drink) and limit soft drinks to mealtimes
3. Use of straw
4. Promote neutralising foods eg cheese after acid food/drink
5. Refrain from toothbrushing straight after an acid attack (acid on and around teeth, removes demineralised enamel) wait 30mins – 1hr, can use mouthwash but don’t mechanically clean it

Question 5

safe snacks and drinks

Answer 5

• Water/milk/tea with no sugar (or sweeteners for older patients) – change the routine drink, maybe drink with meal instead
• Fresh fruit/veg
• Cheese/meat
• Bread/breadstick
• (Plain crisps) – careful of salt intake
• Nuts, check children wont choke (for older patients, with no nut allergy!)