Delta dental
     
  Diet Analysis - Assessing Your Risk for Tooth Decay  
     
  Although there are many factors that affect the rate of dental caries (tooth decay), we know that frequent consumption of sugar-containing foods is a major risk factor. The longer and more frequently these foods stay in your mouth, the greater the risk of tooth decay.  
     
  Compute your dietary caries risk  
 
  • Examine the foods listed in the boxes in the lower left.
• In the corresponding frequency box for each food item, enter the numberof times you consumed them at the end of meals or
  between meals (at least 20 minutes apart) during the course of a normal day.
• Multiply the frequency number by the number after the 'x' and record that nuber on the blank line for 'points'.
• Add the totals in all points and plot your total point score on the caries risk line.
 
     
FOOD TYPE FREQUENCY PER DAY

Liquid
Soft drinks, fruit drinks, cocoa, sugar, and honey in beverages, non-dairy creamers, ice cream, sherbet, jello, flavored yogurt, creamers, pudding custard, popsicles

Solid and sticky
Cake, cupcakes, donuts, sweet rolls, pastry, canned fruit in syrup, bananas, cookies, chocolate candy, caramel, toffee, jelly beans, other chewy candy, chewing gum that contains sugar, dried fruit, marshmallows, jelly, jam

Slowly dissolving
Hard candies, breath mints, antacid tablets, cough drops

x 1 = points





x 2 = points





 x 3 = points




Total Points =

CARIES RISK

Good nutrition, adequate fluoride, and effective oral hygiene are the keys to oral health.

     
  *The Diet Analysis was developed by the Tufts School of Dental Medicine, which gives permission for this use.  
     
 
Delta Dental of Massachusetts, 465 Medford Street, Boston, MA 02129 www.deltamass.com
  
 
An Independent License of the Delta Dental Plans Association. ® Registered Marks of the Delta Dental Plans Association.
© 2007 Delta Dental of Massachusetts.
  
 
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