CDA Essentials 2019 • Volume 7 • Issue 2

17 Issue 2 | 2019 | N ews and E vents Organization, the World Cancer Research Fund International and the US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.” Notable changes from previous versions: • Greater emphasis on fruits, vegetables and plant- based proteins. • Reduced emphasis on meats and dairy products in favour of low-fat dairy and non-dairy alternatives, where possible. • A shift towards mindful eating, limiting screen time during meals, and eating and cooking with others. • Emphasis on drinking more water to lower sugar intake and protect teeth from exposure to sugar. • Eliminates the traditional “four food groups” replacing them with three: vegetables and fruits, whole grains and proteins. • Encourages Canadians to comprise half of their daily diet with fruits and vegetables, and split the remaining half between whole grains and proteins. • Modifies the protein food group to include dairy and meat as well as plant-based proteins, like beans and tofu. • De-emphasizes meat-based proteins and instead encourages Canadians to “consume proteins more often.” • Labels 100% fruit juice as a “sugary drink” associated with dental decay, obesity and type 2 diabetes. (The previous guide recommended 100% fruit juice as a healthy option equivalent to a serving of fruit.) Nutrition’s role in oral health Let your patients know that the new Food Guide is good for their oral health. According to the Guide, in 2015, “sugary drinks were the main sources of total sugars in the diets of Canadians, with children and adolescents having the highest average daily intake.” The launch of the new Food Guide makes this a great time to remind patients that limiting sugars found in foods like soft drinks, juices, bubble teas and the like, is important to their oral health. Dr. Aaron Burry, CDA’s associate director of professional affairs, says when he talks with patients about their drink choices, he points out how the sugar and acid in many popular drinks will dissolve tooth enamel, making it easier for bacteria to penetrate and start the decay process. “The drinks I always caution my patients about fall into five categories: (1) juices, (2) soft drinks (especially colas that contain phosphoric acid), (3) sweetened milk and yoghurt drinks, (4) energy and sports drinks, and (5) sweetened coffee. It’s the combination of high acidity and sugar in these drinks that is really damaging for teeth,” says Dr. Burry. Although making water the drink of choice is a great step towards better oral health, some people may be reluctant to replace their favourite drinks with water. In these cases, Dr. Burry adopts a harm reduction approach by advising his patients to set a goal of consuming two of their preferred drinks a day, each consumed within 15 minutes. “It’s best if they consume these drinks quickly, rather than sipping them over longer stretches of time,” he says. a We appreciate the guidance to replace sugary drinks with water, to limit sugar in general, and to be aware of the impact of food marketing. – Dr. Mitch Taillon, CDA president Access the new Canada Food Guide at food-guide.canada.ca for more information, images and recipes .