The fact is that white sugar is bad for teeth! Proof of this is the most common dental diseases, namely plaque-induced diseases. These include dental caries and periodontal diseases. Poor oral hygiene is another reason for the increase in diseases of the teeth and gums.
Sugar is harmful not only for the teeth, but also for the whole organism. Struggling to cut back on sugar is a tough task, here are some tips on how to tackle it:
Sugar, by any other name, is still sugar
When we talk about sugar, we mean white sugar – sucrose. Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. This is the sugar found in sugar cane and sugar beet. Sucrose is the most common food sugar. Its consumption in all countries is extremely high. It is cheap, easy to produce and high in calories.
There is strong evidence that the amount and frequency of sucrose-containing foods consumed is the most important cause of caries development. It increases the acidity in the mouth up to 200 times.
Sucrose is defined as “criminal sugar” because it is precisely this that is metabolized by cariogenic microorganisms to acids. Extra- and intracellular polysaccharides are also synthesized from it, playing a major role in the formation, increase and self-maintenance of dental plaque.
But we have to read the label because sugar has other names that the manufacturing companies like to use. These are: galactose, sucrose, fructose, maltose, corn syrup, hydrolyzed starch. Try to avoid these names in the foods and drinks you take.
Healthy and useful breakfast
Pay attention to your breakfast! Many of us think that muesli is a useful and healthy breakfast, but not all muesli is. Most of them on the market have so much sugar that it contradicts “healthy” .
Buy oats or muesli that do not contain sugar and have no added sugar. Any box or package of muesli with added chocolate chips or candied fruit is not a useful and healthy snack for the teeth and the body.
A healthy breakfast will fill you up and help eliminate sugary cravings later.
Snacks?
It’s 10:30 and you’re hungry? Lunch is still far away and you need something to eat? Snacks with sugary foods and drinks are the most harmful to teeth.
Every time our teeth are in contact with sugar, they are under attack from the microorganisms that cause tooth decay and those that cause periodontal problems. This effect lasts for 1-2 hours before the normal pH is normalized in the mouth . Then imagine how during a normal working day, most of us consume sugary foods and chocolate products, quench our thirst with carbonated drinks, sweetened juices every hour or two, what kind of attack we put our teeth under on a daily basis.
Replace sugary foods and drinks in between meals with: nuts, vegetables, fruits, dairy products or with products containing “healthy sugar” – xylitol, agave nectar.
Low-calorie foods and drinks are not harmless
Many of the products on the market are labeled “low calorie” or “fat free” . Often low-calorie yogurt has so much sugar in the form of fructose or refined sugar. Healthy alternatives to some products do not always turn out to be so healthy and harmless, be careful what is written on their label.
Have measure
It’s not every day we need dessert. For the teeth, it is not so important how much sugar we will consume, but how and when this will happen. It is better to eat something sweet as a dessert immediately after the main meal, not as an intermediate one.
Drink like a fish
Be aware that alcoholic beverages also contain sugar. Even in a glass of prosecco, cider, gin and tonic, sugar can have an impact on oral health. Try to control the amount and frequency of alcoholic beverages consumed and always have water nearby.
Take a look at your coffee
Double Chocolate Frappuccino, Latte Tiramisu with Double Whipped Cream – very tempting and delicious drinks, but let’s be honest – there is so much sugar in them! It is difficult to consume them only after a main meal, so try to reduce their intake or just drink coffee without sugar.
