Consuming too much sugar is not only bad for your waistline but also bad for your teeth. If you or your children consume too much sugar which causes tooth decay in children, you could be putting your or child’s oral health in jeopardy.
The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar. Too much sugar can cause bacteria to overgrow. Having healthy teeth helps with the overall general health of the body. So, cutting back on sugar only makes sense, not only for the waistline but for oral care as well.
What is the Daily Recommendation?
The daily recommendation depends on your age. This is for the average person that doesn’t have any issues with sugar. At age 4-6 we should consume no more than 5 cubes of sugar or 19 grams. And, ages 7-10 is 6 cubes or 24 grams for age 11 and older maxed out at 7 cubes or 30 grams.
Imagine, 7 cubes of sugar, that’s all you get for the day, how would you use it? Most Australians consume far more than these numbers. And, the biggest culprit is sugary drinks and snacks. Trying to just cut back on desserts, candy, and sugary drinks can do wonders for your teeth. And, is pretty simple to do. There are many alternatives out there, but just cutting them down, maybe skip the afternoon sugar drink and replace it with something more healthy will help.
Breakfast Ideas
Watch your cereal choices. Many “cereals” are more like candy with milk. Read the ingredients and look for more whole grain. If you sprinkle additional sugar on your cereal try for something more natural such as fresh fruit or honey.
Do you prefer a quick piece of toast? Try to use low-fat cream cheese or butter for a spread instead of sugary jams.
Main Courses
Watching your food labels is super important. There are so many processed foods that add sugar, some of which you’d never guess. These things are things such as Pasta sauce, boxed cereals, Protein bars or granola bars, Yogurt and Bread to name a few.
As you read the ingredients, the list usually starts with the ingredients that make up the majority. This means if sugar is at the top of the list, it’s probably high in sugar.
And, remember, there are different ways to spell sugar in the food industry. Look for things such as corn syrup, glucose, fructose, and Maltose or sucrose as well. These are “sugar” names that the industry tries to throw off the consumer with.
Healthy Snacks and Drinks
Snacks and drinks are the main issues with Australians consumption of sugar. Many drinks contain sugar, juice included, so read the packages carefully. Try to take in more plain water and less of these other drinks.
Choose fruit or other snacks over processed foods will help with the sugar intake as well.
How to Take Care of Your Teeth
There are some simple ways to take care of your teeth. Things such as brushing them at least twice a day, and brushing for 2 minutes each time can greatly reduce decay. Flossing and replacing your toothbrush are other good things to keep in mind. Drinking lots of water, this is not only great for your teeth health but for your overall health as well. And, of course, visiting your dentist for your teeth cleaning twice a year. This allows us to catch any decay before it gets too bad. Dentists are able to detect dental problems early on and if you are experiencing one of the signs of a toothache then it is about time to visit the dentist.
For more information or to book in with the Dentist, contact us today!
