You’ve likely heard that sugar is not good for your oral health or your overall health. But have you considered the affect it can have on your finances? One study has found an increase in patients’ costs for dental care due to an increase of sugar intake. Here are some tips for avoiding sugar so you can also avoid your dentist in Medford.
The Science of Sugar
You may not realize that it’s not actually sugar itself that is damaging your teeth, but rather the chain of events that sugar causes in your mouth. It’s the fuel for the bacteria that produce the acids that destroy your enamel and lead to cavities. Limiting your consumption of sugar, combined with an excellent home care routine eliminates those bacteria and reduces your chances of developing tooth decay.
Sugar is hiding in Your Favorite Foods
Did you know that there is sugar hiding in nearly all processed or packaged foods? It makes it challenging to avoid if you’re not aware of it. Here are some products that most of us consume each day that have a lot of sugar:
- Instant oatmeal
- Yogurt
- Granola bars
- Marinara sauce
- Ketchup
- Salad dressings
- Breakfast cereal
- Packaged and dried fruits
Did any of these products surprise you? Many of them are considered healthy, but not when they contain as much sugar as a scoop of ice cream or a cookie.
How to Protect Yourself
Being aware of these products will help you when you’re at the grocery store. Take the time to read labels and really look at the sugar content. Many of these products such as marinara sauce and salad dressing can be made at home, where you will control the amount of sugar, if any, that you put into them.
Focus on eating fresh foods and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. Eating fruits and veggies actually helps to increase your saliva flow and neutralize the acids in your mouth, all good things for preventing cavities.
If you have questions about how sugar affects your oral health be sure to contact your dentist in Medford.
About Giamberardino Dental Care
Dr. Anthony Giamberardino has spent over 30 years providing high quality dental care to his patients. He equips his office with state-of-the-art technology designed to make his patients’ experience more comfortable and efficient.
Patients can expect to find a high level of expertise and customer service at Giamberardino Dental Care that they won’t find at many other practices.
If you’d like to contact Dr. Giamberardino, he can be reached through his website, or at 339-674-6725.