Save your teeth by biting into whole grain carbs

Whole grain carbohydrates are better for your teeth, experts have revealed.

A review commissioned by the World Health Organisation analysed thirty- three papers on oral well- being, where they found a correlation between processed carbs and tooth cavities.

Worryingly, they also discovered a weak connection between starch- heavy foods — such as white bread, crackers, biscuits, cakes and pretzels — and a higher likelihood of both gum disease and mouth cancer.

This, they assert, is because the starch in processed carbs be broken down into sugars by amylase in saliva.

Brush up on your carb knowledge: Opting for whole grains offers protection from gum disease

In turn, this slowly erodes the teeth and compromises surrounding tissue.

Published in the Journal of Dental Research, the findings will re- assert the importance of diet on physical health.

Paula Moynihan, Professor of Nutrition and Oral Health at Newcastle University, who lead the research, said: “The evidence suggests that a diet rich in whole grain carbohydrates is less likely to damage your oral health than one containing processed starches.”

“Despite an ill- advised fashion for eliminating carbohydrates from the diet, a carbohydrate- rich diet is shown to be fine for oral health so long as it is low in sugars and is based on whole grain varieties of carbs such as pasta, couscous and wholemeal bread.

“They key for shoppers is to look for wholemeal and whole grain on the labels.'

Review found more processed forms of starch increased tooth cavity risk.

Co- incidentally, the World Health Organisation is currently updating its guidance on carbohydrate intake, including assessment of dietary fibre and starch quality.

The WHO currently recommends reducing free sugar intake to less than 10 per cent of total calorie intake, and suggests further reduction to less than 5 per cent for additional health benefits.

Additional research into the effects of carbohydrate quality on other health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer and type 2 diabetes, will be used to inform the forthcoming guideline.