Did you know that the average person in some countries consumes well over 20 teaspoons of sugar each day? To some of us, this number would seem unbelievable. For others, it’s a simple fact of life. Contributing to the problem is the fact that our favorite foods and beverages—even those we don’t consider very sugary—are actually loaded with sugar. Most of our patients know that sugar poses threats to their waistline and overall health, but not all know which sneaky sources of sugar should be eliminated. Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, your Astoria, NY dentist, elaborates.
Tooth Decay Is Anything But Sweet
A diet saturated with sweets contributes to increased risk for diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other potentially deadly conditions. Your teeth suffer, too. Many kinds of bacteria live in your mouth, populating the surfaces and crevices of your teeth and tongue. When you eat foods that contain sugar, these bacteria thrive, mixing with food, clinging to your teeth, and producing destructive acids and toxins. As the acid erodes your tooth enamel, your teeth become vulnerable to decay, so you require fillings. Your gum tissue becomes irritated by these toxins, developing lasting periodontal infections that could ultimately lead to tooth loss.
It Takes More Than Avoiding Sweet Treats
It seems as if one could steer clear of these dangers simply by laying off sweets like candy or baked goods. Actually, it takes a bit more effort to prevent sugar-induced damage. Sugar is sneaky and can be found even in foods and drinks that we don’t really categorize as sweets. These basic rules will help cut down on your sugar consumption:
- Speak the many languages of sugar: When reading ingredient lists, look for sugary substances such as corn syrup, dextrose, malted barley extract, and
- Watch out for unhealthy health foods: As more people show interest in healthy alternatives, more food manufacturers offer deceptive substitutes. Fruit smoothies, yogurt, and energy bars are all foods that we think of as healthy—and many are—but some pack in an obscene amount of sugar.
- Cut down on bread and other starchy snacks: Bread, chips, and other starchy foods are broken down into sugar when they come into contact with your saliva. Their texture becomes sticky and gummy, so it clings to teeth and near your gum line. When it comes to your teeth, starch and sugar alike are dangerous.
- Read packaging info: Condiments are a surprising source of sugars. Watch out for ketchup, marinades, dips, barbecue sauce, and tomato-based sauces.
- Beware sugary sips: Fresh fruit is an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but many bottled fruit juices and fruit cocktails lack this nutritional value. Juices from concentrate are especially high in sugar, whereas freshly squeezed juices tend to be the most nutritious. After drinking any kind of fruit juice, rinse your mouth with water afterward to clear your mouth of excess sugar. Whenever possible, abstain from drinking soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks.
Afraid you might have a cavity? If you suspect your sugar consumption has caused cavities, or if it’s time to schedule your twice-yearly dental checkup with Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, contact us at (718) 728-8320. We welcome residents of Astoria, Queens, NYC, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
