Supplements and dental health

I went to the dentist this week and his comments got me thinking.  He said that I had a bit of tooth decay and asked if I have a lot of sugar in my diet.  "Sugar?" I said.  I have 1 teaspoon in my oats and less than that in a tea or coffee.  Fruit and orange squash aside, not a lot of sugar in my diet really.  He seemed adamant that something in the diet was causing this.  (NOTE: I havent been to the dentist in 4-5 years).
 
So I left the dentist not sure what it could be.  Then it hit me - I put about 50g maltodextrin in my post-workout shake.  I know malto isnt a sugar, but would it or other mass shakes that contain dextrose cause tooth decay?  The amounts consumed are quite a lot, 50g + a go.
 
Any thoughts?

Malto would be metabolised by lactic acid bacteria and therefore could be cariogenic.  Also remember it isn't the suger directly which causes caries, it's the metabolism of the sugar to acid by lactic acid bacteria in the mouth and the resultant acid which causes the erosion.  If you have a lot of acidic foods this will be a problem too, and yes, that does, unfortunately, mean fruit.  No way do I wish people to not have fruit, though.

The best cause of action is to brush well and regualrly use a flouride mouthwash too.

And floss!

;)

Yeah similar things to think about would be fruit, fruit juices, squash etc etc

I was advised to drink through straws and it limits the amout of juice etc actually falling on the teeth as long as you don't swill it obviously!

All those doughnuts mate !!!