How to Protect Your Teeth From Your Cravings
Whether it’s ice cream or birthday cake, most of us suffer from fairly consistent sugar cravings. According to dieticians, indulging in these cravings in moderation is okay for our diets, but what about our teeth? What many people don’t realize is that when you are eating sugar-rich foods, it’s essential to take extra precautionary measures with your dental hygiene to ensure that your smile stays bright and healthy.
Check out our Top 5 Tips for Protecting Your Teeth from Sugar:
- The first thing to keep in mind when incorporating sugar into your diet is to try to limit the number of small snacks or meals you allow yourself to consume. This means opting to eat full meals instead of snacking throughout the day. This is because as you eat, the pH in your mouth drops and makes it more acidic. Your mouth can only handle that acidity so many times in a day before acid-loving bacteria take the wheel. Once that happens, tooth decay begins.
- Try to be cautious about which sweets you choose to eat. Some sweets are worse than others. For instance, gummy candies rank highest on the list of foods to avoid, as they cling to teeth. However, sugar-free chewing gums can actually be good for warding off bad bacteria.
- Timing is everything. You want to ensure that you eat your sweets when your mouth has plenty of moisture so that it has time to break down what you have put into it. Dryness is the enemy of healthy teeth and your mouth is prone to drying out when you sleep. To avoid this, try to stop eating at least 30 minutes prior to going to bed.
- We advise that you brush your teeth after each and every meal. This might mean you need to carry a portable toothbrush with you or a small container of mouthwash that you can use after munching on your sweet treats, to rid your mouth of the sugary residue.
- Floss, floss, and floss again. Making sure that this is a regular part of your dental hygiene routine is essential. Flossing will enable you to get the carb-saturated residue out from between your gums, preventing tooth rotting and decay.
Between consistent teeth cleaning and mindful eating, caving into your sweet tooth and maintaining a healthy smile are two concepts that can coexist without ruining your enjoyment of food or your amazing grin. Just be sure to keep the above tips in mind and, when in doubt, consult with your dentist about any specific questions you may have.