Most of us remember our parents’ warnings that too much sugar will rot your teeth. While that may sound overly dramatic, it’s actually true. The sugar contained in soft drinks and many foods produces bad bacteria inside the mouth that can very easily lead to tooth decay. High-sugar soft drinks are especially nasty since they contain acids that erode the protective enamel layer of your teeth.
So it makes all the sense in the world to reduce your sugar intake for healthier teeth and gums, right? Unfortunately, this is no easy task for some people. If you have a sweet tooth, avoiding sugar can seem next to impossible. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help overcome your sugar cravings.
- Eat more protein. Instead of instantly reaching for sugar when you’re ready for a snack, think protein instead. When you increase the amount of protein you eat, it stabilizes your blood sugar. That helps you to control your appetite and your sugar cravings. When it comes to promoting good oral health, cheese is an excellent choice. Not only is it full of protein to help curb sugar cravings; it also helps to balance the pH levels inside your mouth, so it’s a healthy choice for teeth and gums.
- Drink more water. This is important for everyone, but it can be especially helpful if you’re accustomed to drinking sugary soft drinks. Replace those drinks with water instead. Not only does water help to wash away leftover food particles inside your mouth; it also helps to reduce your desire to snack. By filling up with water, you’re helping to keep your teeth and gums clean and hydrated, and helping yourself to stay away from unhealthy snacks at the same time.
- Eat more fruit. If you really have a strong craving for sugar, fruit can be an excellent substitute. Apples in particular are a great choice since they are not only sweet, but actually help to clean your teeth! While all fruits are good, you may want to limit your intake of acidic citrus fruits since the acid can be harmful for the enamel layer of your teeth.
- Get more sleep. The connection between sleep and sugar may not be obvious, but the fact is that when you’re sleep-deprived, you’re much more likely to crave sugar. Do what you can to improve the quality of your sleep. It helps to establish a regular nighttime routine by going to bed at the same time each night, keeping your bedroom cool and dark, and avoiding using your computer or smart phone after 6:00 at night.
Overcoming sugar cravings may sound hard, but you can do if you just make a few small changes and keep focused on that effort every single day. You may miss the sugar at first, but eventually your cravings will go away, and you’ll be left with much healthier teeth and gums!
