Hidden Sugars – Dental Health Advice from Parkview Dental
Happy Dental Health Week!
Organised by the Australian Dental Association (ADA), Dental Health Week is a campaign that provides dental health advice and educates Australians on the importance of their oral health.
2020’s theme focuses on sugar and its effects on our teeth. Experts recommend that we consume 6 teaspoons or less of sugar per day. Knowing this figure is one thing but understanding how to read food labels to ensure you don’t consume more than this amount is another. So, here are your questions, answered.
How can I spot hidden sugars?
When checking food labels, your first instinct may be to look at the list of ingredients. You should understand that sugar can be listed under a range of different names.
Look out for these ingredient names next time you’re food shopping.
How do I read food label quantities?
Understanding quantities on nutritional information panels is another thing that commonly confuses Australians.
You can compare food products by checking the ‘quantity per 100 grams’ column. You should aim to buy products that have 10 grams or less of sugar per 100 grams. Anything under 5 grams is ideal, however, anything over 15 grams is too much, so you may want to opt for an alternative.
No added sugars means sugar free, right?
Not quite. One of the best pieces of dental health advice that we can give you is don’t be fooled by labels that say, “no added sugar.”
Most foods contain both natural and added sugars, so foods that have no added sugar may still contain a lot of sugar.
Natural sugar refers to the sugar that is naturally present in whole, unprocessed foods and drinks such as fruit, milk and yoghurt. While sugar is present, these foods also contain fibre, vitamins, minerals and calcium which are good for the body, bones and teeth.
Added sugar refers to the sugar added during processing or cooking, or before eating or drinking. This includes maple syrup, brown sugar and sucrose (white sugar).
What else can I do to prevent tooth decay?
In addition to limiting your sugar, you can prevent tooth decay by ensuring you have a proper dental hygiene routine.
You should brush twice daily for a full two minutes, ensuring you reach the front surface, the insides and the biting surfaces of your teeth. Aim your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush gently in circular motions.
Many people forget this next step, but flossing is absolutely essential! Floss reaches the spots that your toothbrush cannot, which helps prevent a build-up or food particles and plaque. Flossing isn’t just important for preventing tooth decay, it also helps prevent gum disease.
Additionally, you should visit the dentist every 6 months for a routine check-up and clean. A professional clean removes the build-up of tartar that your everyday cleaning routines cannot. It also gives your dentist the peace of mind that your teeth are well-looked-after.
For a routine check-up and clean, visit our team at Parkview Dental Practice.We’re currently offering a Consultation, Check-Up & Clean for just $97 for New Patients.
Give us a call on (07) 5443 9055 or contact us here.