As we get closer to the holidays, sweets start to pop up everywhere we look. First, it’s Halloween candy, then it’s Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie. Next, come the Christmas Candy Canes. Brushing, flossing, keeping up with your dental check-ups is always important – but if sweets do get the best of your teeth or your little ones, we provide laser cavity repair in Wheaton, but hopefully we it doesn’t come to that! How is it possible to get through the rest of the year without giving in to our sweet tooth?! Learn more below.
Have Healthy Mid-Day Snacks
Sugar cravings are worst when we’re already hungry. And by that point, they’re difficult to ward off. Plan your daytime snacks, with one mid-morning and another mid-afternoon. Eat them at specific times, so that your blood sugar doesn’t get too low and you’ll curb cravings before they start.
Healthy snacks for teeth include things like sharp cheddar cheese, almonds, and apple slices. Each one promotes healthy teeth and gums while also limiting plaque buildup on your teeth. Getting more protein in your diet can also help, as it keeps you fuller, longer.
Keep Drinking Water
Staying hydrated will help ward off hunger during the day. It also fills your stomach when you’re craving something sweet, but are trying to resist the urge to eat more dessert.
Keep a refillable water thermos on hand and sip on it frequently throughout the day. Tap water is best, as it contains the proper levels of fluoride (it’s regulated by your municipal water source.)
Eat Your Sweets with a Meal
You don’t have to completely deprive yourself of your sugar cravings. Enjoy a modest serving in moderation every now and then. The key is to eat your dessert with a meal. Since all foods produce acids that can impact teeth, it helps to neutralize the sugars with other food and limit the contact time that sugar has on your teeth. After you eat, go rinse your mouth out well with water to remove any food residue.
Say Yes to Fruit
Fresh fruits provide you with a savory sweet taste without the extra sweeteners or sugar in other holiday foods. You can eat them without any added guilt, considering they’re loaded with nutritious vitamins and extra fiber.
Know Your Triggers
Do you tend to stress eat? Knowing what triggers you to start snacking can help you be better aware of your cravings and get ahead of them. Or better yet, work to manage those stressors altogether. The therapeutic technique of “mindfulness” is where we’re aware of how we feel and the actions we take at that time. The mental clarity of being aware of our cravings holds promising power to say “no” to sweets when it’s a craving, as opposed to the occasional indulgence.
Sweet Sensitivity to Teeth?
If you’ve said “yes” to sweets and feel a zing in your tooth, call our pediatric dentist in Wheaton. Sweet sensitivity is a red flag for cavities. Reserve an exam at DPD Smiles for fast answers, today.
