When you think of sugary foods and snacks, your mind probably immediately goes to candy, cookies, and soda. If you don’t frequently indulge in those foods, you probably think you don’t eat a lot of sugar. But the truth is that there is sugar hidden in almost every processed food, including chicken stock, bacon, mustard, salad dressing—you name it. Any top dentist in Allentown can tell you that sugar wreaks havoc on your oral health. It’s not good for the rest of your body either!
What Sugar Does to Your Teeth
Your mouth is full of bacteria, most of which are beneficial to the oral ecosystem. But some bacteria are harmful and feed on the sugars you eat, creating acids that can eat away at your tooth enamel. Cavities are often the result. If cavities are not treated, they can continue to grow deep within the tooth, causing painful infections and eventually tooth loss.
How to Kick the Sugar Habit
Here are some tips that can help you reduce the amount of sugar you consume on a daily basis:
- Take the time to read labels so you can identify the hidden sugar in foods. Foods that are labeled “low fat” tend to be higher in sugar content.
- Choose processed foods that do not have added sugar; they are out there if you look for them.
- Eliminate sweets such as candy and cookies, as well as sodas, from your diet altogether.
- Eat a piece of fruit instead of drinking juice.
Call a Top Dentist in Allentown
If you are struggling to keep sugar out of your diet, we can help. Make an appointment at Evolve Dental Care, and we can talk about healthier ways to snack and suggest ways to eliminate sugar from your diet. Give us a call today!
