What is Sugar and How Does It Impact Your Diet?
Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that your body breaks down into glucose. This process gives you the energy you need to get through the day.
There are two types of sugar: natural sugars (like those found in fruit) and added sugars (such as table sugar or high-fructose corn syrup).
No one knows for sure how much sugar is in an average diet. The range is anywhere between 25 and 75 grams per day (about 6-14 teaspoons).
You may be surprised to know that added sugars comprise about 16% of your caloric intake on average, and are often hidden in foods like salad dressings, ketchup, and yogurt as well as many kid’s cereals.
It’s important to watch out for these “stealth sugars” because they can add up quickly.
Can Sugary Drinks Cause Tooth Decay?
Yes! Drinking a lot of sugary drinks are one of the leading causes for tooth decay.
Sugar-sweetened beverages are high in sugar and will ultimately lead to tooth decay. They also have strong acid levels which break down teeth over time but these same acids can make your drink more refreshing.
Regular soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, juice, cordial and fruit drinks may also be a concern as they all contain added sugars that cannot be easily digested if consumed.
How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy with Proper Diet Habits
More and more people are noticing that it is harder to keep their teeth healthy these days. This is because of the increased usage of sugary and acidic food, as well as the high consumption of coffee, wine, alcohol and tobacco.
Poor dental hygiene is also a big factor in tooth decay and gum diseases. There are many ways to help keep your teeth healthy including eating a balanced diet and practicing good oral hygiene habits.
In order to prevent tooth decay, drink plenty of water throughout the day and always rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidity-rich foods and beverages such as coffee and wine.
It is important to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly. You should also avoid consuming too much sugar for at least 30 minutes after brushing your teeth or you will end up brushing away all your hard work.
Limit Your Sugar Intake
Limiting your sugar intake to 10% of your daily calorie intake – 200 calories of sugar or less on a 2,000-calorie diet is highly important to help with weight loss and tooth and gum issues.
To further keep your mouth clean and healthy you should also stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day and avoid brushing immediately after consuming sugary food or drinks, wait at least 20-30 minutes.
Summary
To improve your diet and keep your body as healthy as possible remember to drink plenty of water every day, brush and floss your teeth twice daily, visit your dentist regularly so they can keep up with any issues that might occur and remember to keep sugar consumption to meal times only.
Also use fluoride toothpaste irrespective of whether you live in a fluoride-rich area or not and eliminate or limit the amount of sweet drinks in order to minimize tooth decay and gum diseases.
You can help protect your oral health by seeing your dentist regularly for checkups every 6-12 months. Teeth whitening packages can also include a dental check-up. View packages here if you’re looking to keep your teeth healthy and bright!
