Sweet Tooth – Cupcake Cravings!

1. Sweet Tooth – Cupcake Cravings! Sweet Tooth – Cupcake Cravings! How many times have you heard your mother and grandmother say ‘stay away from sugar or it will eat away your teeth? We might have heard this warning probably a thousand times over but did it really prevent us from eating our favorite chocolate? In this blog, we will explore the effects of sugar on your teeth and preventive measures to protect your oral health. Effects of Sugar on Teeth It not the sugar but the bacteria who are doing harm to your teeth! Contrary to the common belief that sugar is bad for your oral health, research suggests that the acid released by bacterias after breaking down sugar is the actual culprit. This acid causes the teeth enamel to dissolve and enhances the chances for individuals to develop tooth decay and gum disease. In a nutshell, bacteria within the plaque break down sugar that releases acid as a by- product, which gradually dissolves the enamel in the teeth. Brushing your teeth and flossing properly after every meal and beverage intake helps individuals to flush away sugar left on teeth surface and in-between teeth gaps. Poor dental hygiene attracts bacterias who in turn do the damage by feasting over the left-out sugar in the mouth. Dentists recommend individuals to rinse mouth thoroughly after every meal and have a quality oral health care routine to reduce the effects of bacterias on their teeth.

2. Does staying away from sugary foods and beverages help? Everything that exceeds its limit is harmful. Refined sugar found in candies, ice creams, potato chips, pre-packed snacks, and soda is more harmful than natural sugar. The harm doesn’t limit itself to oral health but overall health. However, this doesn’t mean that natural sugar such as dried fruits, honey, fruits containing citric acid can be taken in larger amounts. Even sugar from a natural source can be harmful if not taken in moderation can do the same damage as of refined sugar to the teeth. How can I keep my teeth safe? There are many ways to naturally improve your oral health. Consuming food rich in fiber and protein such as cheese, nuts, and leafy vegetables promote strong teeth. Eating fresh fruits, carrots, and celery can naturally help you to get rid of plaque. This helps to keep bacterias away from the surface of your teeth. Drinking plenty of water during eating and after eating can promote saliva production and wash away bacteria and residual food particles. Dietary Advice Today, people particularly the younger generation is consuming far too much sugar in their diets. This makes it important to control sugar intake for better oral health and overall well-being. Following are ways to reduce dental caries: 1.Brushing teeth twice a day with a fluoride-based toothpaste. 2.Reducing the amount of sugar-containing food (particularly, the sticky ones). And if done, follow it up with a thorough rinsing with water. 3.Cut out snacking that reduces the production of acid in the mouth. 4.Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages.