Hidden Sugar
Hidden sugar in food & drink
Here at Hartley we see an increasing amount of people suffering from tooth decay. Could this be why?
It’s always been common knowledge that sugar is bad for your teeth but what is not so well known is how much of it is hiding in “healthy” food and drinks.
The news has been full of reports recently about the detrimental effects sugar has on your health, we’ve decided to list a few of the worst culprits. Many of which you may find surprising.
- Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice (500ml) contains: 51 g of sugar, the equivalent of 13 McVities Hobnobs.
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This Water Pure Squeezed Lemon and Lime (250ml) contains: 21.3 g of sugar which is like adding 4 teaspoons of sugar to a glass of water, only 20 percent less sugar than a glass of Coke!
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Innocent Pomegranate, Blueberry & Acai Superfood Smoothie (250ml) contains: 34.3 g of sugar! This seemingly healthy smoothy could deliver 100% of your RDA for sugar.
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Costa Massimo Red Berry Cooler contains: 97.1 g of sugar! One of the sugariest drinks on the market, this juicy treat provides you with a whopping 108% of your RDA.
There is a common belief that if something contains fruit it must be good for you, but as you can see, this is not always the case. The reason sugar is bad for your teeth, as well as contributing to numerous overall health issues, is because built up bacteria on your teeth, known as plaque, reacts with the sugar to create acid. As you drink, the sugar washes all over the inside of your mouth and into some very hard to reach places. Over time, too much sugar in your diet can cause issues such as:
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Gum Disease
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Cavities
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Tooth decay
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Tooth loss
So what can you do to stop this? Or at least reduce the risk? There are many small steps you can take to reduce the effect of sugar.
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Avoid food and drinks that contain added sugar
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Drink water between meals
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Limit snacking as much as possible
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Eat fresh fruit and vegetables, they have high water and low sugar content. They also promote the production of saliva which washes away the harmful acid
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Brush your teeth at least twice a day
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Floss daily
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Have regular dental cleanings
If you are concerned that sugar is effecting your oral hygiene or have any symptoms of the issues listed above. Give us a call to arrange a consultation on 01752 548848.
Image supplied by: http://www.thebihar.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/orange-juice.jpg
