Sugar Frequency Counselling — NDEB AFK MCQ
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Correct answer: E — Reduce the frequency of sugar intake between meals rather than focusing solely on total sugar amount
The most important dietary counselling message for caries prevention is to reduce the frequency of fermentable carbohydrate (sugar) intake between meals. Each sugar exposure initiates an acid attack (Stephan curve) lasting approximately 20-30 minutes. Frequent snacking between meals produces repeated, overlapping acid attacks that overwhelm salivary buffering and remineralisation capacity, resulting in net mineral loss. Confining sugar intake to mealtimes (when salivary flow is stimulated) and reducing between-meal snacking frequency is more effective than reducing total sugar intake alone.
Reference: Fejerskov & Kidd – Dental Caries: The Disease and Its Clinical Management, 3rd ed., 2015