It’s no secret. Sugar can most certainly contribute to problems for your oral health. You are well aware of this fact because you have long heard that sugar yields damage. However, when you’re not entirely sure about what to do either because you really like sugar, because you don’t know how to avoid it, or because you don’t understand why it’s so bad, it can make following through on best preventive care practices difficult! Not to worry! Our Ankeny, IA team is on hand to bring you some highly helpful suggestions for keeping your smile intact and safe from this sweet ingredient.
#1: Cut It Out Completely
Remember that bacteria in your mouth eat sugar. They digest the sugar. As a result, they release acids as part of digestion, which cause the damage to your teeth (and to gums, too) over time. So: The less sugar you eat and the smaller the duration of time it’s in contact with your smile, the better. If you prefer an all-or-nothing approach, then you may simply wish to cut sugar out altogether. Remember, carbohydrates feed bacteria, too, but when you take candy and other sweets off of the daily menu, you certainly provide your oral health with one less serious hazard!
#2: Remove Major Sources Of Temptation
It never seems like having a bit of sugar around is a big deal until you find yourself nearly incapable of avoiding it! If you are someone for whom the temptation of sweets is quite great and you’d rather not have to worry about it at all, then do your best to remove sources from the places you spend the most time. For instance, don’t keep any at home. Don’t keep any at your work desk. This makes it so much easier to skip the sweet stuff and protect your oral health without a second thought!
#3: Decide To Rinse Every Time You Indulge
Brushing, flossing, and your visits with us help protect your teeth but what do you do in the moment, when you’ve just consumed some sugar, you wonder? Well, remember that you want sugar off of your teeth as quickly as you can do so. With that said, if you eat something that contains sugar, just remember to rinse well with water following your snack, dessert, etc. We remind you that it’s a powerful and very simple way to protect your oral health.
Promote A Healthy And Damage Free Smile
Learn all about how to keep your smile free of damage from commonly known sources, such as sugar, when you talk about the details with our team during your next dental checkup! Come in soon! Find out if you’re making good choices by scheduling a visit with your Ankeny, IA dentist today! Contact Peddicord Family Dentistry to set up an appointment by calling 515-963-3339.