Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight. I’m Adam Navis.
Voice 2
And I’m Katy Blake. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
What do you think is the most common disease in the world? It is not cancer or heart disease or malaria. It is tooth decay, or dental caries or cavities. Half of the world’s population has problems with their teeth. The doctors and experts who treat these issues are dentists. Dr. Wagner Marcenes is a professor of Dentistry at the University of London. He is part of an international research team. They study tooth, or dental, health around the world. In a study from 2010, he explained how big this issue is:
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“There are close to four billion people in the world who suffer from untreated problems with their teeth. These problems cause tooth pain. They prevent people from eating and possibly sleeping properly. … We are facing serious problems in the population’s mouth health.”
Voice 2
Dental caries are a very painful and unpleasant problem. But one main reason for them is sweet. It is eating sugar and sugary food. Eating sugary food is bad for teeth. But sugary food is becoming more popular around the world. So, how can people prevent these tooth problems? Today’s Spotlight is on your teeth and sugar.
Voice 1
Most adult humans have 32 teeth. Teeth help our faces keep their correct shape. They help us communicate through talking or smiling. And of course, they help us eat food. Everything we eat and drink passes through our mouths. The Mayo Clinic calls teeth the ‘window to your overall health’. They explain on their website:
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“Did you know that the health of your mouth offers clues about your overall health? Did you know that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Like other areas of the body, your mouth is filled with bacteria. Most of it is harmless. But your mouth is the entry point to your body systems. Some of these bacteria can cause disease. Your oral, or mouth, health may add to other diseases and conditions, including problems with your heart, lungs or difficulties during pregnancy.”
Voice 2
So how do we keep our mouths healthy? What we eat and drink has a great effect on our whole body. And it has particular results on the health of our teeth. One way to see these results is to look at what humans have eaten over many years. As our diet has changed – our dental health has changed too. Middle income countries have the highest level of tooth decay in the world. But levels of tooth decay in lower income countries are increasing quickly. Habib Benzian is the director of global health and policy at New York University’s College of Dentistry. He explains to NPR how diet changes affect people’s teeth:
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“Low-income countries usually have traditional diets. They eat more plant and meat-based foods. They eat less sugar and processed foods. But each country’s social and economic conditions change. As that happens, there is a change in what people eat. It is a part of convenience. If you work all day and come home, you want quick food. Fast foods are fried, high in fat, sweet — and very cheap.”
Voice 1
Eating a lot of sugar is one of the most unhealthy things you can do. The World Dental Federation says eating and drinking sugar is the main cause of tooth decay. And globally, people are eating and drinking more and more sugar. The World Health Organization suggests each person should eat and drink less than 25 grams of sugar a day. But in many countries the average person eats and drinks much more than that. In some countries the average person eats two, three, or even four times more than that!
Voice 2
As a result, there are a lot of ideas about how to reduce the amount of sugar people eat and drink. One idea is to put higher tax on sugary foods and drinks. Another idea is a legal limit on the amount of sugar in foods for babies and children. Another idea is to stop selling sugary products to young people and children.
Voice 1
Sugar is a big part of one of the largest health crises in the world. But sugar is also one of the most important agricultural industries in the world. Many people make money from this industry. They do not want to sell less sugar. This makes dental health a complex global issue.
Voice 2
Sugar is only one thing that affects people’s dental health. A person’s dental health depends on many things. An individual can usually make their own decisions about diet and hygiene, such as tooth brushing. But people cannot always control their economic situation. They cannot always control how much money they have or where they live. They cannot control their access to dental care. The effect of dental decay is much worse in very poor populations. This is true even in wealthy countries.
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There are many large systems that affect people’s teeth. These problems can seem too big to solve. But the World Dental Federation says we can improve people’s teeth around the world. In their document, “The Challenge of Oral Disease” they give ideas of what groups can do to help on different levels. They think that everyone around the world should be able to pay for good ways to prevent tooth problems, such as treatment with fluoride – a mineral that protects teeth. They also think everyone should have health care that will help them pay to see a doctor for their teeth when they need to.
Voice 2
The World Dental Federation thinks that caring for our teeth and mouths should be connected to caring for the rest of our bodies. Strong, healthy teeth are important for the health of our whole body and sense of well-being. Most people cannot change the global dental system. But they do have some control over how well they take care of their teeth. And one easy thing everyone can do to take better care of their teeth is reduce how much sugar they eat.
Voice 1
Do you eat or drink a lot of sugar? Do you have any teeth problems? You can leave a comment on our website. Or email us at radio@radioenglish.net. You can also comment on Facebook at Facebook.com/spotlightradio.
Voice 2
The writer of this program was Rena Dam. The producer was Michio Ozaki. The voices you heard were from the United Kingdom and the United States. All quotes were adapted for this program and voiced by Spotlight. You can listen to this program again, and read it, on the internet at www.radioenglish.net. This program is called, “Sugar and Your Teeth.”
Voice 1
Visit our website to download our free official app for Android and Apple devices. We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye.
Question:
Do you eat or drink a lot of sugar? Do you take care of your teeth? Write your answer in the comments below.
Wonderfull
Thanks for this information.
I eat much less sugar but my teeth are not still good. Do you think what else causes?
There are lots of things that cause dental problems such as eating a lot of acidic food like lemons. If you eat or drink something acidic, you have to brush your teeth half an hour after eating.
I think you should see a dentist to check on your dental health.
Useful text for our healthy and ……our English
Sugar is bad for your teeth. Everyone knows about this. The world can only hope for the day when sugar doesn’t come with tooth decay. But, until then, everyone should brush their teeth.
There are lots people from my Family have Blood sugar wherefore I fear eating Sugar
I don’t eat much sugar and fast food because I know It not good for my health. And today, I know that teeth health is also very very important. Thank Spotlight too much.
Yes, I do. but I trying to stop doing it.
I hate a problem of teeth and me brushing my teeth
No,i do not.
Yes, i do .
في صغري لم اكن اعتني باسناني حتى اصبح عمري تقريباً 14 لم اتدارك الأمر مبكراً وانا الآن نادماً اشد الندم ولكن الحمدلله على كُل حال(: .
I think that it is never too late. You can visit a dentist. He will examine you and create a treatment plan to treat your teeth
Tooth decay is the problem we should that reduce amount sugar especially baby and children
I love with this topic do you know why ?? because I’m dentist that’s it .. I like sweet but not that much
i am in a diet its 0g of suger you can eat its a keto diet
This days I try to lower sugar intake, because I have Diabetes.
yes I brush my teeth twice daily
I am not a child I am fifty five and I still have thirty two teeth
I like take care so I dont eat much sugar to avoid tooth problems
thank you for this information
and for easy englush
love it
No, I do not eat a lot of sugar
yes, I do but not in a frequently way
I think that sugary food has a big effect to our teeth’s health. People have to limit their daily amount of sugar that they eat. Also brushing teeth is important to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
{ if there is any mistake please tell me )
In fact, in don’t know how much sugar I often eat everyday. Sugar in rice, fruits…I will try to eat less sugar. Thanks spotlight.
I do think that I sometimes eat more than 25g a day, but usually, I don’t. So I think that I’m on the safe side (:. I just brush my teeth twice a day so I don’t think that I’m taking care of them.
Hello Spotlight team.From the beginning of this year i was drinking my coffee with honey rather than sugar i adapted that and my coffee is too tasty with honey more than with sugar. A few days ago, i tried honey with tea the taste became different but it is good and i will adapt it. For everyone try to drink your coffee with honey that healthier and tasty at the same time !
1- no i am not eat or drink a lot of sugar
2- yes i take care of my teeth
Yeah, I’m. I eat and drink a lot of sugar, and i’ve a teeth problems. I need to change my food system.
actually, i really like eat and drink lots of sugar. however, when i eat EATCLEAN, i ate less sugar and oil , i fell very happy about this change.
I eat and drink little sugar and sugary food. I brush my teeth twice a day, one in the morning after waking up, and one in the evening before going sleeping. This is the way I take care of my teeth.
Unfortunately yes i eat a lot of sugar per day and i dont take care of my teeth regularly but after this program i will tryhard to keep my teeth healthy
While it may be impossible to cut all sugar from your diet, taming your sweet tooth and following a few tips will help decrease the damage to your teeth.
Limit your consumption of sugar, including soft drinks and energy drinks.
Drink water to rinse your mouth while eating.
Brush teeth after eating sugary foods.
Don’t eat sticky, sugary foods such as candy.
Cut down on carbohydrates since they turn into sugar in your mouth.
Use a fluoride toothpaste which helps build up your enamel.
Floss regularly to remove plaque and reduce the bacteria between teeth.
Unfortunately, I eat a lot of sugary food and I love them. Actually I am addicted to sugar and this causes me not only teeth healthy issues but also It makes me getting more and more high weight which makes me so uncomfortable and unhappy and I can’t found a solution for this problem. After this spotlight I think I should reconsider the way I live I hope. Thanks alot.
Hi soptlightenglish team
Just I want to say thank you for all things that your team give me.
I’m beginner and I want to say go ahead strongly
God bless your team
Yes, I do. I eat a lot of sugar and sugary food. Especially I consume a lot of chocolate. But I try to reduce eating sugar and sugary food. I have started a diet. And of course I try to take more care of my teeth.
Thanks for this sharing.
Yes actually I eat lots of sugar but I will try to reduce it.
I just brush my teeth 3 times a day
That is my treatment for my teeth.
Yes I eat a lot.
Yes I take care.
yes I had 9 cavities when I was 10 years old, and before one month I had two tooth decays hhhhhhhh
Emergency Dentist Phoenix
Thank you for your article. Prove that dental technology is improving all the time.
Well written article reflecting most current up to date information in the dental world.
I eat and drink a lot of suger like sweets, choclat, carbonated drinks and I know it’s damage for my health but I love a suger food. However, I try to stop eating food of suger because smash my body and cuses many diseases. In addition, I don’t take care of my teeth but this work it’s very dangerous. So, you must be to intrest for teeth like You vist a docter all a three months, and you brush my teeth after eating and before a sleeping.
Personally, i am one of those People who like sweet flavors. I am a person who when he eats sugar feeding, feels better and better.
But, that doesn’t mean that i consume much more sugar in a day. Now, i am Just expressing my love to sugar foods, but i am not consume it at all, unless in some opportunities.
Alhamdulilah, i don’t have any teeth problem, or de any cavities decay at all, because, i care about my teeth with a Daily cycle cleaning teeth.
I was eating and drinking foods with sugar .
But before tow week I met my friend and he challenged me to leave the sugar I accepted his challenge, so now i drink tea and coffee without sugar.
I am eat a lot of suger and yes, I’m always brushing my teeth after I wake up and before I sleep.
It is great , good topics to talk about it
When I younger I didn’t care a lot for brushing my tooth and this case for me problem and teeth caries and berefor one year for now I can treatment my tooth in hospital
It’s not a good idea to give up sweets so you don’t brush your teeth. There can be no party without sweets. Every time of the year and every celebration has its traditional desserts. Old people and children especially like sweets. The best thing is to celebrate happily with sweets, together with the daily use of antibacterial toothpastes and mouthwashes.
Thanks for this useful article
Unfortunately, I eat sugar to excess
I suffer from many dental problems
Hello , yes I like to eat sugar
But Conversely I’m careful about brush my teeth after any meal or even after eat sugary food
No.
Yes I do.
Thank you so much Adam I want to have an accent just like you.
big love ❤ from Morocco
I don’t eat anything with sugar, but I love chocolate
I wash my teeth twice in the day.