5 Ways to Curb Your Sugar Cravings and Benefit Your Teeth

Sugar is a craving that almost all of us experience. We like sugar. It tastes good, and it gives our bodies a quick boost of energy. There’s no shame in craving sugar. But take it from your dentist in Kansas City: sugar is bad for you. When sugar gets broken down by the saliva in your mouth, it produces acids that can damage the enamel of your teeth. Plus, the bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease love sugar, which means that sugary snacks and drinks can increase your risk of cavities and gingivitis!

So, how do you curb your cravings for sugar and keep your teeth healthy? We often have sugar cravings because we didn’t eat well enough, or because we ate the wrong foods and our bodies are looking for more calories. Eating healthy has a lot of advantages not just for your teeth, but for your overall well-being. It also means that you’re less likely to go through your day craving a quick fix from the candy machine. “Eating healthy” is a pretty broad imperative, though, so here are five simple things you can do to help cut down on cravings and keep your teeth and gums in good shape:

1. Drink lots of water. Often, when we’re craving something it’s because our body is dehydrated. We may think we want food or a soft drink when in fact we just need water.
2. Eat throughout the day. A dip in blood sugar can also lead to sugar cravings, which is one of the reasons why many dieticians recommend five small meals throughout the day instead of three large ones. It also helps to spread out your intake of calories and keeps your body more consistently fueled throughout the day.
3. Reach for some sugar-free chewing gum. Many researchers have found that chewing gum can reduce food cravings—especially for sweets! Of course, if you can eat a healthy snack instead that’s probably for the best, but a handful of sugar-free chewing gum is preferable to a handful of chocolate and caramel. Chewing sugar-free gum after you eat is also a great tactic when you can’t brush your teeth—though you should still brush as soon as you can!
4. Get up from your desk. We sometimes reach for sweet treats when we’re feeling burned out at work. So, if you catch yourself sitting at your desk and thinking the candy machine down the hall or the donuts that were left in the break room, walk away. Get up, give yourself a break, and maybe get a change of scenery by taking a quick walk around the building.
5. Watch out for salty snacks. When you’re trying to avoid eating sugar, it’s easy to reach for salty snacks instead. But we’ve all experienced that overwhelming craving for something sweet that comes after we binge on chips or nuts or other salty snacks. In order to avoid triggering a craving, eat salty snacks in moderation, or cut them out altogether in favor of healthier options.

Cutting down on your intake of sweets will not only help your teeth and your overall health, it will also help everyone in your house because you’ll be less likely to have unhealthy foods in the pantry or fridge. Of course, a healthy diet is only one part of good oral health, and you’ll still want to brush and floss every day, and make regular visits to your Kansas City family dentist at Blacker Family Dental. Give us a call at (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment today!