Can I Eat Before My Dentist Appointment?
Most of us brush our teeth before visiting the dentist, but what else should (or shouldn't) we do before an appointment? What about eating? Should you or shouldn't you? This...
In our modern era of instant information and user-submitted content, everyone seems to be an expert on health. There are nonstop recommendations flying around the Internet. When you mix those with the official guidelines for healthy diets (guidelines that also tend to change on a regular basis), it’s enough to make your head spin. How do you know which direction to move in? With the help of your dentist, you can craft a diet that’s both tooth-friendly and universally healthy. Believe it or not, the right diet could keep cavities out of your mouth and keep your waistline trim. Read on to understand why.
When it Comes to Oral Health, How Much Sugar is Okay?
When you’re concerned with oral health, the question shouldn’t actually be “how much” sugar, it should be “which kinds” of sugar. Because your teeth are the first part of your body to be exposed to the foods and drinks you consume, they weather the consequences. Acidic, sugary foods and drinks that linger in the mouth cause the most damage because they expose the teeth to food particles and acids. Some of the top offenders include:
- Cola and other soda
- Dried fruit
- Chewy candy like taffy or caramel
- Citrus juices
- Sweet alcoholic beverages
When you’re considering both your oral and systemic health, then it is a good idea to take the amount of sugar into account. The World Health Organization recommends that you get no more than 5-10% of your daily energy from sugars. This translates to about 6 teaspoons of sugar per day. When considering your intake, remember that some sugars are secretive. You’re not just getting sugar from candy and sodas – it’s a huge part of even non-sweet foods. In order to understand how much sugar is in the foods you regularly eat, check their nutrition information online (there are detailed facts for nearly everything, branded products and produce alike).
Keeping Your Entire Body in Healthy Shape
There’s no denying that the world has changed. Whereas hundreds of years ago, the majority of the planet once struggled to survive, today we have a wide-scale problem with obesity. In spite of efforts to improve exercise and diets, things aren’t changing; in fact, in the last 33 years, none of the nations with obesity epidemics have seen improvement. It’s time to take things into our own hands – on an individual level.
Whole-body health and oral health intersect in more ways than you may expect. While ongoing research is supporting the link between periodontal disease and a slew of larger-scale problems, what you eat is another danger zone. Treating your diet as an opportunity to improve both your teeth and your body will yield results and make your actions as efficient as possible. In order to get started, consider taking the following steps:
- Make water your drink of choice – If you’re drinking soda all day, it’s time to make a change. Switching to water will not only have you feeling better (once you get accustomed to the loss of sugar and caffeine), but looking amazing.
- Cut down on sugary snacks and drinks – As we mentioned above, this is the absolute right thing to do. You will feel good and your teeth will stay healthier.
- Ensure your diet is well-rounded and nutrient-rich – Different vitamins build strong teeth and bones, and then maintain them throughout the rest of your life. Make sure you’re getting plenty of different kinds of food to receive all the necessary nutrients.
Looking for more tips on your oral and general health? Just get in touch.
