It can be a challenge to limit your daily sugar intake because sugar is hidden in so many foods that you would not suspect. You would be amazed at the amount of sugar you find when you check nutrition facts, even in non-sugary food. A moderate amount of sugar is fine, but a high consumption can harm your teeth and your general health. Here are a few facts about sugar you may not have known:
– Studies have found that the average person ingests 700 or so grams–or the equivalent of 140 teaspoons–of sugar every week.
– There are about 9 teaspoons of sugar in a 12-ounce bottle of Coke.
– A bottle of ketchup is about 23% sugar.
Sugar can go by many names when present in food, but the terms you should look out for are glucose, maltose, fructose, sucrose, corn syrup, hydrolyzed starch, and honey. You don’t need to cut all sugars in your diet, even if that were possible, but we do encourage you to be more aware of your sugar intake and wait 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth.
Other steps you can take to keep your mouth healthy include:
– Flossing daily
– Maintaining a healthy diet with minimal snacks in between meals
– Replacing your toothbrush at 3-month intervals or when your brush starts to fray
– Scheduling regular dental visits with your dentist
If you are wondering how you can protect your smile from the harmful effects of sugar, we invite you to call 281-602-8843 and schedule a time to speak with Dr. Diego Flores at America's Family Dental. We look forward to helping you enjoy a healthy smile in Spring, Texas.