Most of the time, we think of drinks and foods that are high in sugar, like pop and candy. Sugar is bad for our teeth and can be found in a lot of strange places.
We will talk about the sneaky sugars that can hurt your smile and how to avoid them. For professional help keeping your teeth in great shape, you might want to talk to a family dentist in Kips Bay, New York.
How sugar can impact your oral health.
Germs in our mouths love sugary foods and drinks and turn them into acids that are bad for us. The top layer of our teeth that covers them is called enamel. These acids eat away enamel away. Over time, this wear and tear can lead to cavities and other problems with the teeth.
Hidden sugars that you might not know about.
It is clear that sweets are bad for our teeth, but many everyday foods also have sugars that you might not expect:
- Dressings and sauces: Ketchup, barbecue sauce, and salad dressings often have a lot of extra sugar.
- Processed foods: Some processed foods that are high in sugar are granola bars, breakfast cereals, and flavored yogurt.
- Drinks: Sports drinks, soda, and juice are all high in sugar and can make cavities worse. There may be a lot of sugar in fruit juice and other drinks that look good for you.
- Sauces and syrups: A lot of sugar can be found in sauces and syrups. Sauces like teriyaki and marinara and syrups like maple syrup and agave nectar contain a lot of sugar.
Outsmart the sneaky sugars and protect your mouth.
Follow these steps to keep your teeth healthy:
- Read food labels carefully: High-fructose corn syrup, sugar, and glucose are all extra carbs that you should look for in the list of ingredients.
- Choose whole foods: Pick whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that have not been changed in any way. Most of the time, these foods do not have much sugar and are good for your teeth.
- Stay away from candy and drinks that are high in sugar: Eat less processed foods, drinks with a lot of sugar, and snacks that are high in sugar.
- Take care of your teeth: Brush them twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss every day, and go to the doctor regularly for cleaner teeth and checkups.
- Rinse your mouth with water: If you ate or drank something sweet, use water to flush the sugar out of your mouth.
- Try natural sweeteners: If you need to add sweetness to foods and drinks, try sugar alternatives. For example, stevia or monk fruit extract can be used in small amounts.
You can keep your teeth healthy and have a beautiful smile for years to come if you do good things for your oral health and know where sugars are hiding. Do not forget that having a healthy mouth is good for your overall health.
Some additional tips for a healthier mouth.
- Choose gum that does not have sugar. When you chew sugar-free gum, you may salivate, which helps wash away acids in your mouth.
- Do not eat snacks too often. Eating snacks all day puts your teeth at risk for sugar attacks all the time.
- You might want to use a straw. You can keep your teeth from getting sugary drinks on them if you drink through a straw.
- If you are afraid about your teeth or the amount of sugar you eat, you should talk to a dentist.
These steps will protect your teeth from secret sugars so that they stay healthy and your smile looks great.
Visit your dentist today!
Take good care of your smile! See a dentist today about your teeth. To keep your teeth healthy, it is very important to get a diagnosis early and protect them. Do not let sugar that is hard to find hurt your teeth. Set up your meeting right away.
