It is important to consider how much sugar is in the foods and beverages that we consume daily as our modern diet can contain more sugar than we realize! A healthy diet should include no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day for females, 9 teaspoons for males. Consuming one can of Mountain Dew, which contains 77 grams of sugar, dramatically exceeds the daily recommended allowance.
Medical professionals, including dentists such as Dr. Khanna, have noticed an increase in health problems related to an increase in the consumption of sugar. This can include cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease as well as diabetes and other health problems. It is important for parents today to take into consideration the amount of sugar that their child may be consuming in sugary drinks and snacks- especially popular sports drinks!
Dr. Khanna takes the time during routine dental visits to educate his patients on the effects of sugar on their dental health, especially sugary beverages- which tend to be consumed slowly, increasing the risk for developing dental health problems because of the extended amount of time that sugar is sitting on the surfaces of teeth. This can be especially true for young children who may sip for hours on a juice box or sippy cup!
Dr. Khanna often recommends that older patients, including teens, use a fluoride rinse such as ACT- once prescribed mostly to pediatric patients. At his Geneva dental practice, Dr. Khanna has noticed an increase in decay and cavities due to sugar consumption in young adult patients.
While reducing the amount of sugar in your diet is ideal for maintaining optimal oral and overall health, patients can help to limit some of the dental health risks by chewing sugarless gum after eating or drinking- this helps to neutralize the harmful bacteria that increase due to sugars by leveling the PH balance in the mouth. Drinking a glass of water can also help – or replace that soda or juice with a glass of water instead!
If you have additional questions about how to reduce the effects of sugar on your oral health, including the use of fluoride toothpaste, contact Susan in Dr. Khanna’s Geneva dental office.
It is important to visit Dr. Khanna regularly for dental cleanings and exams– this provides the opportunity for dental issues to be spotted in the early stages when they can be treated conservatively.