Keeping Your Teeth Safe from Sugar - Without Cutting it Out
The start of autumn brings with it many beloved seasonal treats: golden hues, crunchy leaves underfoot, warm wardrobes, and, perhaps most consistently, the consumption of sweets! As the colder months set in, it’s hardly surprising that we stock up on sugary goodness to keep us warm and energised, and there’s no lack of delicious treats to be found. From halloween candies to pumpkin spiced lattes, sugar becomes practically irresistible. However, higher sugar intake can be followed by less welcome side-effects, such as toothache and tooth decay.
Thankfully there are ways to ensure your teeth stay clean and healthy without barring sugar altogether, so that you can happily munch your way through to the new year. Follow our tips below to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Rinse!
For an immediate clean feeling, a simple solution to keeping sugar off your tooth surface is to give your mouth a quick rinse with a fluoride mouthwash after sugary snacks. This washes excess sugar off your teeth and blocks it from settling and forming plaque.
Brush More Often
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, but if you find your sugar consumption soaring it doesn’t hurt to give them a little extra clean after a sugary session. Sugar can temporarily soften the enamel on your teeth, so it’s best to wait around 30 minutes after eating or drinking before brushing. If you find yourself absent-mindedly nibbling on sugary snacks at work or out and about, try our Sonisk Pulse portable sonic toothbrush, which can be carried safely and hygienically and give you the quick clean you need to get the sugar off the surface of your teeth.
Use a Straw
When you’re drinking sugary or carbonated drinks from a glass, the first surface the liquid touches is your teeth. Avoid too much direct contact with sugar by using a straw, which allows your drink to bypass your teeth whilst still hitting all those sweet taste buds on your tongue. Use a reusable or paper straw to protect the environment as well as your teeth!
Increase Your Saliva
Saliva is our natural mouthwash, helping to wash away sugars and acids that sit on our teeth after eating and drinking. Make sure to stay hydrated by regularly drinking water to ensure you have enough saliva, and try chewing sugarfree gum to help further stimulate your saliva production.
Word to the Wise
It is a common misconception that some sugars are better than others for your teeth. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth, which feeds on sugar and erodes the protective enamel on your teeth. It might seem that eating an apple would be better than a chocolate bar, but the bacteria can’t tell the difference, and will thrive on any kind of sugar. So go forth and eat treats, but make sure you follow the tips above to keep your mouth clean and sugar-free for healthier, happier teeth and gums.