‘Sugar Out Day’ planned for Feb. 1

    The Oral Health Education Program has announced a “Sugar Out Day” for all Aroostook County residents on Friday, Feb. 1 and encourages all to reduce 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 are 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.
    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. Here are some tips to help make better food choices. Many canned, frozen and processed foods contain “hidden sugars,” read food labels to detect sugars such as honey, molasses, dextrose, corn syrup or sucrose. Limit foods that are considered “junk foods” because they tend to be high in fat as well as sugar. 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.
    All Aroostook County residents are encouraged to observe this day by not eating sugary foods. Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month and help prevent dental disease.