e. Fats, Oil, and Sweets. It is recommended that these items be used
sparingly in food preparation. Fats and sugars naturally occur in some foods, but the
overall consumption of these items needs to be limited to maintain a healthy body.
4-17. REFINED CARBOHYDRATES AND DENTAL DISEASE
Refined carbohydrates (sugars) going into solution in the mouth can penetrate
the bacterial mucin plaque. These sugars are readily fermented by enzymes of
organized bacteria in the plaque, forming acids which act on the enamel to initiate
dental caries. If the teeth are well cleaned by toothbrushing and flossing, bacterial
mucin plaque cannot attach to the tooth, bacteria cannot organize, and refined
carbohydrates cannot produce dental caries.
MD0513
4-10