‘Sugar Out’ day planned

    PRESQUE ISLE  – Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. (ACAP) Oral Health Education Program announces Sugar Out Day for all Aroostook County residents on Friday, Feb. 1 and encourages all to participate in reducing the amount of sugar intake.
    In recognition of National Children's Dental Health Month, this event is sponsored by County schools, the Maine Bureau of Health – Oral Health Program, ACAP Oral Health Education Program. All Aroostook County schools have been encouraged to participate by eliminating as many sugary foods and snacks from the school day as possible.
    Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease in our nation; five times more common that asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. Nationally in 2004, 31 percent of adults (18 years or older) had not visited a dentist within the last year.
    In Maine, dental disease is still prevalent. In 2004, a study showed that 23 percent of Maine adults age 65 or older have lost all their natural teeth due to decay or gum disease.
    Avoiding sweet, sticky foods and cutting down on snacking are two 3ways to prevent tooth decay and eventual tooth loss. Sugar reacts with bacteria in the mouth to form an acid. The acid attacks the teeth for about 20 minutes after eating. If acid attacks occur too often, the tooth enamel does not have a chance to repair itself and cavities can begin.
    Although it is difficult to eliminate all sugar from a daily diet, it is possible to reduce the frequency and the amount of sugar that is eaten. Many canned, frozen and processed foods contain "hidden sugars," read food labels to detect sugars such as honey, molasses, dextrose, corn syrup or sucrose. Choose snacks wisely and try to replace sweet snacks with fresh or canned fruits (without heavy, sugary syrup), vegetables or cheese to help prevent tooth decay.