The Oral Health Foundation commends the parliamentary discussion addressing the critical impact of food and diet on obesity and welcomes the opportunity to emphasise how nutrition influences not only weight but also oral health – a vital yet often overlooked component of overall wellbeing.
Poor dietary habits and the proliferation of ultra-processed, high-sugar foods are key contributors not just to obesity but to the rising prevalence of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Sugary and acidic diets are the primary cause of tooth decay, which remains the most common chronic disease in both children and adults in the UK. These conditions lead to pain, infection, and in some cases, tooth loss, which can significantly impact quality of life.
Key points raised in the debate – such as the accessibility of healthy foods, the promotion of nutritious school meals, and clear labelling – are directly relevant to reducing the burden of oral diseases. The inequality in access to affordable, healthy food disproportionately affects low-income communities, exacerbating both obesity and oral health disparities.
The Oral Health Foundation supports measures to make nutritious foods more accessible and affordable, including reformulation and taxation on unhealthy foods (including fast food), mandatory food labelling, and restrictions on advertising and price promotions for high-sugar and ultra-processed products, noting that these steps are crucial to fostering healthier eating habits across all age groups.
Additionally, the charity echoes the call for early intervention. Good dietary habits established during pregnancy and early childhood play a pivotal role in preventing health issues, including oral diseases, later in life. Initiatives like free school meals and breakfast clubs, when focused on providing fresh, low-sugar options, are excellent opportunities to instill these habits in children.
The Oral Health Foundation urges policymakers to prioritise education about the relationship between diet and oral health, alongside the broader health impacts of obesity. Through awareness campaigns, school-based education, and improved food standards, we can empower individuals to make better dietary choices and reduce the burden on our healthcare system.