{"id":211,"date":"2021-01-22T17:24:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T17:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boylesgeneraldentistrymtx.com\/blog\/?p=211"},"modified":"2021-02-24T13:04:37","modified_gmt":"2021-02-24T13:04:37","slug":"sugar-substitutes-good-smile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boylesgeneraldentistrymtx.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/22\/sugar-substitutes-good-smile\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Sugar Substitutes Good for Your Smile?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maybe you put copious amounts of sugar in your tea or you eat a candy bar in the afternoon to get you through work. Perhaps you can\u2019t go to bed without first having a bowl of your favorite ice cream. Whatever your weakness, you love sweets. When you were a child, you were likely told at some point that sugar rots your teeth. Nowadays, you have more options to enjoy a tasty treat, but are sugar substitutes really better for your smile as well? Read on to learn more about how these sweet alternatives can impact your oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Sugar\u2019s Effect on Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The more complex truth is that sugar itself doesn\u2019t cause the decay, but it fuels the bacteria that produce corrosive acids. Studies have found that those who frequently eat sugary foods or drink sugar-filled beverages are much more likely to get cavities. These harmful foods include ice cream, cookies and other baked goods, candy, and carb-heavy and processed foods like crackers or bread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s important to keep in mind that not all sugar sources are bad for your overall health. Fruits like apples and strawberries contain natural sugars along with essential vitamins and nutrients your body needs to function. While it\u2019s okay to have some foods that contain sugar, you can make smarter choices about which sugars you choose to consume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Sugar Substitutes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Compared to processed sugar, substitutes generally contain fewer calories, which obviously can help you maintain a healthier weight. Honey, a natural sugar substitute, also comes with other health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and helping with allergy symptom. Although other alternatives offer no nutritional value, they can allow you to enjoy a sweet treat every now and then with less guilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dangers of Sugar Substitutes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the major allures of sugar substitutes is the illusion of being healthier, but this can give people a false sense of security. As a result, they can drink diet sodas without worrying about their teeth. Although alternative sweeteners don\u2019t promote bacterial growth in the mouth as much as regular sugar, they still feed harmful bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Therefore, it\u2019s still important to stay on top of your oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protecting Your Smile Against Sweeteners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The thought of abstaining from sweets may seem impossible. If you have an undeniable sweet tooth, feel free to use sugar or substitutes to indulge sometimes<\/em>. Regardless of what kind of sweetener you use, you need to be diligent in the following habits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n