4 Tips to Fight Sugar Cravings 

Sugar can take a toll on our bodies from our head to our toes, however, the negative side effects sugar can have on the teeth are astounding. Many people have a ‘sweet tooth’ which can make it hard to fight off those intense sugar cravings, however, we’re here to help. Here are a few tricks on how you can fight sugar cravings for your dental health. 

Sugar and Your Smile

Our mouths are loaded with bacteria. While some of this good bacteria is good for you, some of it isn’t so good for your oral health. The bad bacteria in your mouth thrive on the sugar and starches you consume each day. When sugar and bad bacteria connect, they begin to produce an acid and the demineralization process begins. This process is a result of the acids removing minerals from your enamel, which is the shiny, outer-coating of each tooth. Your saliva will work to reverse this damage and remineralize your teeth.

Your saliva has minerals, like calcium and phosphate, that can work alongside fluoride found in tap water and toothpaste to help your enamel repair itself. However, Healthline explains, that the related cycle of acid attacks will eventually cause so much mineral loss that your saliva can’t keep up. When this happens, your enamel becomes weak and destroyed, and a cavity is formed. 

If left untreated, cavities can spread deeper into the tooth, causing more pain and could even lead to you losing the tooth altogether. 

Signs of Cavities 

If you notice any of these signs happening within your mouth, it’s important to come into Stonebrook Family Dental for an exam to determine if you need treatment to stop the progression of the cavity. Common signs of cavities are:

• Tooth sensitivity. which can range from mild to severe. This is the most common cavity symptom that can come about at random. 
• Pain when eating or drinking. Cavities can cause pain when you eat or drink things that are hot or cold. Additionally, even sweets and liquids in general can be painful to consume. 
• Pressure. Even when you aren’t eating, cavities can sometimes cause sharp pain when you apply pressure to the tooth or bite down. 
• General toothache. In the beginning stages, you might have mild to no pain, however, if the cavity progresses, the pain can become constant. 
• Holes in the teeth. Cavities can cause tiny holes in the tooth where the decay is. 
• Bad breath. Another sign you have a cavity is having persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. 

Fighting Sugar Cravings

One way to reduce your risk of developing cavities is to reduce your sugar intake. For some people, this will be more difficult because they crave sweets over salty foods. Our team at Stonebrook Family Dental is here with 4 tips to fight sugar cravings:

1. Don’t stop cold turkey. If you typically consume a lot of sugar in sodas, cereals, and other foods each day, don’t stop eating sugar all at once. Rather, we recommend weaning yourself off the sweets slowly for about one week so you don’t experience any withdrawal symptoms, like headaches. Begin by slowly cutting down the number of soda you have each day over the course of a week until you’re fine with one — or none — each day. You don’t have to cut sweets out of your life completely, however, practice having sugar in moderation. 
2. Drink more water. The next time you feel your sweet tooth talking to you, grab a glass of water instead. You’re likely to find that once you’re done drinking a full glass of water, your cravings will have subsided and you’ll be better hydrated. Win/win! 
3. Chew sugar-free gum. Sugar-free gum can give you the sensation that you’re chewing on something sweet, and it can also stimulate saliva flow which can help fight cavities. 
4. Eat smaller meals throughout the day. People tend to go towards sugar when they’re hungry and haven’t eaten enough during the day. To fight this, eat more smaller meals throughout the day or plan healthy snacks to have in between your planned meals. 

Make an Appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental 

If you are feeling any of the signs of a cavity, like tooth sensitivity and pain, make an appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental today. Dr. Kevin Varley and are staff are passionate about helping you achieve the best oral health possible. From a full exam to a deep cleaning, our team is here for you and your family.