admin
Nov 03, 2021
Most of us are lovers of sweet savouries that satiate our sugar cravings. However, a sweet tooth can give rise to health problems, and one of them is toothache due to cavities, gum problems and decay.
Sugary foods are bad news for oral health. Thus, Hope Island Dentist ask their patients to avoid candies, chocolates, cakes, cookies, pies, and pastries during the holidays to avoid dental problems.
These foods are consumed by the bacteria present in the mouth and lead to the production of acids that erode the tooth enamel and make them vulnerable to decay. Therefore, if you are unable to control your yearning for sugary delights, you need to be careful as it can lead to unwanted pain and damage.
However, it can be challenging to say no to the delicacies displayed at cafes and those stocked in your fridge. Thus, here are a few tips that can help you keep your teeth protected from binging on jelly cakes, pavlova, marshmallow mousse trifles and more such sugar-filled treats.
1. Restrict Your Guilty Pleasures
The worst thing to do to your body is to fall prey to gluttony. Do not make it a habit to munch on a bar of chocolate when you are bored or fill your mouth with candies every few hours. Keep a tab on your temptations and confine your sugar consumption.
Besides ruining your teeth, it can increase your blood sugar levels and lead to diabetes, which can impact your health adversely and can be life-threatening if it remains unchecked.
Thus, learn to walk away from the pastry shops. Also, stop yourself from filling your cart with sugar-coated foods at the supermarket. Buy one or two items for the entire month and do not go beyond it.
2. Drink Lots of Water
Hydrating yourself is vital by all means, and it helps keep the sweet cravings under check. When you are full, you will not feel the need to snack on treats. Also, if you drink water after consuming something sugary, it helps in washing out your mouth and restricts the bacteria from feeding on the sugar.
In addition, drinking water increases the production of saliva that helps to reduce the risk of sugar getting stuck to the teeth and causing cavities.
3. Eat Fruits as a Substitute
When you want to eat something sweet, you can opt for fruits as they are much healthier. Whole fruits like mangoes, berries, papayas, grapes, watermelons etc. are an ideal choice.
They are full of vitamins and antioxidants, which make them a wonderful source of energy and nutrition. You can make smoothies, shakes and ice creams without sugar using these fruits to enjoy a tasty treat.
4. Try Sugar-Free Chewing Gums
If you are unable to stop yourself from popping sugary foods in your mouth, you can try to eat sugar-free chewing gums. They help in controlling your sugar cravings and protecting your teeth and gums after meals.
The acid produced in the mouth after eating erodes the enamel and causes cavities, while chewing gums help in reducing the acid attack by producing more saliva that fights the acid.
5. Brush Your Teeth Regularly
The most successful way of keeping your teeth healthy is to brush and floss regularly to maintain perfect dental hygiene. If you are eating sticky candies, chocolates, and sugar-coated foods, you must brush your teeth after an hour of the meal to avoid damage.
If you are unable to brush, you must at least rinse your mouth with water to remove the residual sugar present in the mouth.
6. Avoid Canned and Processed Foods
The processed and canned foods available at the supermarket can contain a lot of added sugar, and many people consume them without blinking an eyelid, such as peanut butter, ketchup, etc.
However, the unintended intake of sugar can be detrimental to oral health. Thus, you must check the ingredients mentioned on the packaging to ensure that you are not buying foods that can impact your teeth and gums.
7. Eat Fibre-Rich Foods
Keeping your tummy full is one of the best ways to curb sugar cravings. Thus, you must eat foods that are enriched in fibre as they keep you full for a long time, and you will not look for snacks between meals.
Some of the fibre-rich foods that can be included in the diet are cereals, chia seeds, and legumes like beans and chickpeas.
8. Give in to Cravings Sometimes
Do not go overboard with the restrictions and completely cut down on sugar from your intake. It can make you binge eat when you finally get your hands on savouries.
Thus, make a meal plan to include treats for yourself after every few days so that you do not go weak in the knees whenever you see something sweet in front of you.
Conclusion
Everyone enjoys sugary foods, and it is hard to stay away from your favourite things. However, being a bit careful and visiting your dentist in Hope Island is essential to protect your teeth from the damage caused by sugar.
