The high rates of cavities among Australians could have a surprising cause: the culture of snacking on cakes and other sweet foods in the office. In a recent speech, dentist Nigel Hunt claimed that people consume more sugar in the workplace than anywhere else, which could have devastating effects on their oral health. Is there a way to stop this 'cake culture' and save the nation's teeth?

Why So Many Cakes?

If you work in a busy office, you might have noticed that almost every week someone is celebrating a birthday, promotion or other special event. Coworkers often bring in cakes and other treats to celebrate these occasions, which can lead to everyone over-indulging. In addition, employers may use food to reward employees for a job well done.

Why Can't We Resist?

Maintaining your focus for a full day can be tough. By mid-morning, many office workers are looking for an excuse for a break. Helping yourself to a slice of cake can be the perfect excuse to get up from your desk and spend a few minutes chatting with your co-workers. Once you've indulged once, it's likely that those sugar cravings will only get stronger throughout the day.

What's the Alternative to Serial Snacking?

It's okay to have breaks throughout the day. In fact, taking regular breaks from your desk can help you concentrate. Rather than heading straight for that cake your coworker brought in this morning, go to the water cooler to refill your water bottle or take a walk up and down the office stairs to stretch your legs. Before you return to your desk, spend a few minutes stretching to refresh your body and mind.

Can You Keep Your Mouth Busy?

If you're still craving something sweet, try chewing gum instead of reaching for a snack. Sugar-free gum not only gives you something sweet to chew on, but it also increases your production of saliva, which can help to decrease acidity in your mouth and reduce the risk of cavities. Choose a gum that contains a tooth-friendly sweetener, such as xylitol or sorbitol, rather than a gum that has been sweetened with sugar.

Could You Change the Culture?

Rather than celebrating every special occasion with a cake, could you convince your coworkers to branch out into healthier foods? For example, why not swap that stack of donuts at the weekly meeting for a punnet of fresh berries? By making small changes to office culture, you can protect your teeth and those of your coworkers.

Talk with a dentist if you need help choosing healthier snacks and treats as well as if you need tips for taking better care of your teeth.