How Office Cake Culture Causes Cavities
Spending long hours in the office could affect not only your mental health, but also your oral health, according to dentist Professor Nigel Hunt. This expert claims that office workers' habit of bringing in cakes, cookies and other sweet treats to share with their colleagues is causing cavities and other health problems. Let's take a look at the damage office cake culture is doing to our dental health, along with a few ways you can protect your teeth while you work.
The Dangers of Indulging in the Office
A sugary treat may help you get over that mid-afternoon slump, but too many sweet snacks can encourage harmful bacteria to grow in your mouth. Many office workers snack constantly throughout the day, which means their oral bacteria have a constant supply of sugar to fuel their growth. Theses bacteria cause bad breath and release acids that can weaken tooth enamel and leave teeth highly vulnerable to cavities.
How to Have Your Cake and Eat It
If you must indulge in your coworker's birthday cake, try to make your slice part of your lunch. After you eat, glands in your mouth produce saliva, which neutalises the acid produced by bacteria. If you eat multiple times during the day, acid levels in your mouth frequently rise, putting your tooth enamel at risk. Try forgoing snacks in favour of a larger lunch to protect your teeth.
Drink, Don't Eat
When you need a break from work, don't head for the selection of office snacks. Instead, enjoy a tooth-friendly beverage such as unsweetened tea, coffee or water. Research suggests that green and black tea could reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, which makes them excellent choices for your mid-morning or mid-afternoon break. Avoid sugary drinks like sweet tea, juice or sugary soft drinks.
Chew Gum Instead of Cake
Sugar-free gum could be your secret weapon in the battle against temptation. Chewing gum increases saliva production, which helps to neutralise acids. The sweet, minty flavour could also help to distract you from the smell of chocolate cake wafting throughout the office.
Working to Bring Change
If your coworkers insist on bringing in unhealthy treats, why not share this article with them to show them the dangers of office cake culture? Suggest that rather than buying a cake whenever it is someone's birthday, everyone brings fresh berries, nuts and other healthy snacks to share.
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