It’s no secret that ice cream, chocolate bars, and donuts are full of sugar—that’s probably why we love them so much! And with New Year’s resolutions and the Keto fad, a lot of people are cutting sugar out of their diets. Problem is, sugar hides in unexpected places. Did you know that these common foods have sugar?
- Spaghetti sauce
- Peanut butter
- Granola bars
- Flavored yogurt
- Salad dressing
- Packaged fruit
- Ketchup
In this blog, Family Dentist Dr. Julie Glud will explain how to identify and eliminate hidden sugars and why it’s so important to limit your intake.
How Sugar Affects Oral Health
Billions of bacteria live in our mouths. To maintain a healthy balance of these different bacteria, good oral hygiene habits, healthy eating, and regular dental cleanings are necessary. When we neglect any of these practices, the bad bacteria begin to over-power the good bacteria.
As the bad bacteria feast on sugars and other starches, acid is produced. This acid erodes the enamel on our teeth, the pH balance in our saliva becomes unbalanced, and we become even more susceptible to gum disease and cavities. Unfortunately, these aren’t the only negative effects sugar has on our bodies.
How Sugar Affects Overall Health
Did you know that women and children are only supposed to consume 25 grams of sugar per day, and men should consume no more than 37.5 grams per day? For people who start their mornings with a flavored latte or other sugary drink, they may be getting their entire day’s sugar in that one cup.
So, what happens when you have too much sugar over a long period of time? The body has many negative responses to this issue. Too much sugar may lead to:
- Weight gain
- Heart disease
- Acne
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Cancer
- Depression
- Early signs of aging
- Lack of energy
- Fatty liver
Diets that are high in sugar have also been linked to brain fog, impaired memory, and dementia. If your child is consuming too much sugar, he may be having a more difficult time focusing in school.
Identifying Hidden Sugars
The amount of sugar in a food or drink can often be found on the food label. Read the “sugar” and “added sugar” line on the label to learn how much sugar is in each item.
It’s helpful to know the different names of sugar to avoid buying foods with a high amount. Scan the ingredients list for these names:
- Any kind of syrup
- Agave nectar
- Honey
- Evaporated can juice
- Fruit juice concentrate
- 100% fruit juice
- Any word ending with “-ose”
Eliminating Sugar
If you are interested in eliminating sugar or reducing your sugar intake, here are some helpful tips:
- Eat whole, unprocessed foods.
- Look for the label “zero added sugars” at the grocery store.
- Drink water instead of sodas, energy drinks, juices, and sweetened teas.
- Switch to black coffee.
- Use Stevia as a sweetener. (It’s natural and calorie-free!)
- Instead of candy, eat homemade trail mix made with nuts, fruit, and some dark chocolate chips.
- Use bananas to sweeten desserts instead of sugar.
Improve Your Oral and Overall Health Today
If sugar is negatively affecting your oral and/or overall health, start fighting against it today by scheduling a regular dental cleaning with our family dentist. Dr. Glud can help you and your family gain and maintain healthy smiles through comprehensive dental care.
Contact our dental team today at 630-629-5700.
