Despite the wealth of information telling us how bad sugar is for our teeth and gums, once in a while even the most disciplined of us can get tempted. Rather than telling you to abstain from all sugar until the end of time, we believe in moderation and smart choices. But what does “smart choices'' really mean when it comes to sugar consumption? Read on to find out…

Feeling Fruity? Find the Balance!

Some fruit and fruit byproducts, such as juice and dried fruits, are especially bad for your teeth and gums and don’t really balance out in terms of benefits. On the other hand, crunchy fruits, such as apples and pears, have high water content that encourage saliva production, which in turn helps to wash out your mouth whilst still satisfying your sweet tooth! Strawberries, too, have balanced benefits! Yes, they’re both sugary and acidic - but strawberries also contain malic acid, which helps to whiten the appearance of your teeth (albeit only temporarily) and are chock-full of Vitamin C, which helps to strengthen your teeth and bones!

Blend it Up

The great thing about homemade smoothies is that you can control the ingredients, and therefore the sugar content! Try creating your own balance by adding ingredients that are known to improve oral health. For instance, if you’re craving a banana smoothie to satiate your sweet tooth, consider adding spinach, which is high in enamel-building calcium and folic acid, which can help stave off gum disease!

Chocolate: The Darker, The Better

For many of us chocolate is one of the snacks that comes under the “irresistible” category - and good news for all, there’s no need to resist! Although milk and white chocolate are full of sugar, dark chocolate has actually been shown to be good for your teeth! Dark chocolate, anything over 70% cocoa solids, is full of polyphenols which fight oral bacteria, and there’s even research suggesting that another compound found in dark chocolate, theobromine, can even be more effective than fluoride in fighting tooth decay!

Mitigate Negative Effects

There are times when, however much we might attempt to steer clear, eating something sugary is unavoidable. On these occasions, don’t panic! Where possible, reduce your sugar intake by adjusting the types of foods from which you get your sugars to make sure you’re doing the best by your teeth and gums. If you snack a lot at home, try to do all your snacking at once and then rinse your mouth out with water to avoid the amount of time that sugars can sit in your mouth. If you find that you snack a lot on the go, consider popping a Sonisk Pulse portable sonic toothbrush in your bag (or pocket!) and give your teeth a quick brush 30 minutes after eating to clean your mouth out!

During pregnancy a woman’s body experiences a whole host of extreme changes, ranging from the beautiful to the downright stressful. But there’s no reason to panic about your health! As with any special physical circumstances, the most important thing is to make sure that you’re well-informed and following professional advice as best you can so that you can maintain your good health. Read on to find out the unique effects that being pregnant has on your oral health, and go forth calmer and better prepared!

Forward-Thinking

Sometimes accidents are unavoidable, but if you are actually planning to get pregnant, make sure you get your teeth seen by your dentist first! Not only will they be able to give you individually suited advice for your pregnancy, but they will also be able to record your oral health before your body changes to better monitor differences that occur later on during your pregnancy!

I’m Already Late!

If you’re already pregnant, you should still consult your dentist!  Keeping your oral health professionals up to date of major changes in your body, new medications, and the effects of prenatal care are essential to a healthy pregnancy. Speak to your obstetrician in advance of visiting your dentist in case there are any factors specific to you to take into consideration. And don’t skip any scheduled appointments! Pregnancy puts you at a higher risk of gingivitis, oral sensitivity, and plaque, so now more than ever it’s important to keep up with your regular appointments.

Risk Factors

Some oral health concerns are more likely to occur during pregnancy, and although many of these are temporary, some may also need some care and attention. Take note if you notice that your gums are sore or bleeding, or if your teeth feel loose, and make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to make sure you’re not ignoring anything major.

Morning Sickness

Different smells and tastes can affect your experience of morning sickness. If you are struggling with this, consider switching your toothpaste to a bland or flavourless brand, as strong mint flavours and sensations can sometimes provoke nausea, which no one wants! Remember to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after vomiting to clear your mouth of stomach acids, which can weaken the enamel on the surface of your teeth.

Keep Good Practice

As much as ever, keeping up a consistent oral hygiene routine is essential for maintaining your oral health during pregnancy. Make sure you brush and floss twice daily, with a good quality toothbrush that gets into the harder to reach spaces behind and between your teeth to reduce the risk of plaque forming and aggravated oral discomfort.

While this time of year might make you think that the most important things in life are love heart balloons, chocolates, and teddy bears, the message beneath the glitter of St. Valentine’s is all about Love - and there’s no reason that this love shouldn’t extend to self-appreciation! A sparkling white smile is not only attractive to others, but can also make you feel good about yourself - making it the perfect thing to focus on this February! So with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to follow our top tips to achieving that perfectly sparkling smile!

Whiten Those Pearlies

If you’ve been considering a tooth whitening treatment, now might be the perfect time to take the plunge! Remember, though, that there are restrictions to what you can eat and drink, especially in the few days after a treatment, so if you’re planning on showing off your whitened teeth on Valentine’s it might be a good idea to get your appointment in a week or so prior! 

Seize the Opportunity

We often advise people to visit their dentist twice yearly - but if there’s no specific date defined it can be easy to push aside for other things, and forget. Why not use Valentine’s as your date marker for the first of your yearly visits? It’s a great way to ensure that your mouth is as clean and healthy as possible, and whether or not you have a big date to get to, you’ll feel better in your own body! Just remember to have another appointment six months or so later!

(Always) Stay Hydrated

Keeping well hydrated helps your saliva production, which in turn helps your mouth to stay clean and staves off bad breath, not to mention its overall benefits for your whole body - so it’s really an all-round winner! Be sure to have a glass of water alongside your meal to help clear your mouth from acidic food and drink and to keep you fresh throughout the evening! If you’re drinking alcohol, too, sipping on water has the added bonus of staving off a nasty hangover!

Maintain Regular Habits

The easiest and most important way to achieve and maintain a sparkling smile is keeping up with your regular dental hygiene routine. Making sure to brush and floss twice daily maintains your oral health by keeping your mouth clean and warding off problems such as plaque, bad breath, and gum disease - so it’s definitely worth doing regularly!

Keep it Up on the Go