Ways to Be Sugar-Smart: Tips from Your Cincinnati Dentist
Yes, sugar tastes good. It can add a little sweetness to food, drink, and even life in general. Unfortunately, the bacteria that harm your teeth also love sugar. These bacteria eat the sugar and then poop it out in an acid, which causes plaque and tooth decay.
Your Cincinnati family oral health professional at Beckham Square Family Dental won’t hesitate to tell you about the benefits of cutting back on sugar. Fortunately, doing so doesn’t have to be as challenging as you might think.
Easy Ways to Cut Back on Sugar
Of course, we don’t expect you and your family to eliminate sugar from your diet completely. It’s such a mainstay in everyday eating that you’d have to practically alter your life to go cold turkey. What’s important, though, is cutting back, and there are some pretty easy ways to do so:
- Cut back on sugar-filled drinks, such as soda pop, energy and sports drinks, and even certain juices. Some fruit juices contain as much sugar as soda.
- Stick to water as your go-to, perhaps adding a dash of lemon or lime juice. Soak cucumbers in a pitcher of water to enhance the flavor.
- Opt for whole milk when you want something more flavorful than water for your next meal.
- Skip sugary and processed snacks, or indulge in them sparingly.
- Learn how to read nutrition labels to detect hidden sugar content.
- Watch your consumption of alcohol, especially cocktails that contain sugary fruit juice.
- When baking cookies or cakes, cut the amount of sugar called for by one-half or one-third.
Here’s some advice that may seem counterintuitive, but will help you curb your sugar consumption:
- Skip fat-free foods, which often contain extra sugar to compensate for the loss of flavor.
- Drink whole milk, rather than skim, and enjoy full-fat yogurt. Low-fat foods tend to contain more sugar and may even contribute to weight gain.
The Importance of Regular Checkups with Your Cincinnati Dentist
Because there are multiple ways that sugar seems to sneak into our diets, regular dental hygiene is a must to ward off serious dental problems, like cavities, gum disease, enamel erosion, and even tooth loss. To avoid procedures like cavity fillings or root canal therapy from a local dentist, make semi-annual checkups and professional cleanings a part of your overall healthcare regimen. At Beckham Square Family Dental, we’ll help you stay steps ahead of common dental problems and provide the compassionate, individualized care you can come to expect from a top-notch Cincinnati provider.