All day long we consume sugar knowingly and unknowingly, which not only takes a toll on our waistline but also affects oral health. Sugar promotes the growth of bacteria that sticks to the surface of your teeth and produces plaque. This, in turn, produces acid that leads to tooth decay. Therefore, cutting down on sugar will not only ensure healthy teeth but also help you to maintain good overall health. Here are a few tips to cut down on your sugar intake that will keep oral health problems at bay.
Opt for sugar-free breakfast
Instead of having food and juices in breakfast that have added sugar to it, opt for food items that do not contain sugar or are low on sugar. You can choose to have naturally sweetened or non-sweet food items like oatmeals, fruits, and non-dairy milk, such as almond and soya milk. A simple step towards cutting down on sugar in your breakfast will have a good impact on your oral and overall health.
Be mindful of your sugar intake
If you forego food items such as sweets, chocolate, desserts, it may help you avoid sugar. But what about the presence of hidden sugar content in other food items? Many food items, especially some packaged foods, that we consume in the entire day have hidden sugar content in it. Manufacturers add sugar or other alternatives to sugar in their products to improve texture and boost flavor. Sugar has several different names such as caramel, sucrose, fructose, and corn syrup, to name a few. Therefore, you must carefully inspect food labels to spot hidden sugar content in the packaged food to keep a check on your sugar consumption for good oral health.
Say yes to water and other healthy drinks
Aerated drinks and other artificially sweetened drinks have added sugar to it and can impact your oral health. Replace these drinks with fresh fruit juices and other beverages that are naturally sweet and healthy. Natural sweetness is safe for your teeth, as well as your health. Furthermore, drinking a lot of water flushes out food particles and bacteria that cling on to your teeth, thus, preventing tooth decay.
Sleep early to avoid late night sugar rush
Staying up late at night causes late night cravings, and most of it is for sugar-filled snacks and desserts, like chips, chocolates, and ice creams. Brushing and flossing your teeth before hitting the bed will act as a reminder to avoid these cravings. Properly cleaning your mouth will induce a fresh feeling in your mouth that will help you resist the sugar rush. Therefore, going to sleep early will not only refrain you from midnight sweet cravings but also ensures that you live a healthier life.
Give rest to cravings with fruits
When you feel hungry between two meals of the day opt for fruits. They help improve your oral and overall health. Plus, they do not contain sugar but natural sweeteners that satisfies your sweet tooth. On the other hand, if you choose to eat cakes, candies, and other sugary desserts, it increases the chances of tooth decay.
Cutting down on sugar is a tough task, but once you start, then slowly and steadily the cravings will begin to vanish, and you’ll get habituated to having less sugar. It is just a step away towards a healthier lifestyle as cutting down on sugar will ensure good oral as well as overall health.