Are you addicted to sugar? From sodas to baked goods to candy to ice cream, the options are limitless when it comes to foods and drinks that can satisfy your sweet tooth. Unfortunately, as tasty as these foods may be, they can do a lot of harm to your pearly whites and keep your smile from looking its best. To help you work through your addiction to sweets, check out these four helpful tips to overcome your sugar cravings and achieve better oral health.
Tip #1: Know Your Eating Habits
The first step to overcoming your sugar cravings is to admit that you have them in the first place. This will allow you to track your eating habits more easily. Keep a food journal where you write down everything you eat and drink for a week. Use online resources to determine how much sugar is in each item so you know where you can make improvements.
Tip #2: Ask for Support
If your friends and family are actively fueling your constant desire for sugar by giving you sweets all the time, it can be hard to say no. That’s why it’s important to ask them for support. Explain to your loved ones that you’re trying to cut back on your sugar consumption. This way, they’ll know not to influence you to go back to your old ways. They might even join you on your journey towards a healthier diet!
Tip #3: Practice Restraint
Now that you’ve told your friends and family that you need their support, what about yourself? Who’s going to keep you from grabbing a candy bar on the way home from work? That’s where practicing restraint comes in. There are a few steps to doing this, including:
- Setting guidelines – Rather than rules, set guidelines like aiming to eat less ice cream and more tooth-healthy fruits and vegetables rather than cutting sugar out all at once.
- Use the 80/20 rule – Aim to make 80% of the food you eat tooth-healthy, like fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and fish. The other 20% shouldn’t be mindless eating, but having the occasional treat won’t ruin your progress.
- Have fewer sweets around – Once you finish the sweets you already have, don’t buy any more so you won’t be tempted to eat them.
Tip #4: Use Sugar Alternatives
Artificial sweeteners can still damage your teeth, so they should be consumed in moderation. Even so, they’re a great way to cut back on how much sugar you consume. Use them when making coffee and tea and while cooking or baking. You can also drink diet sodas, eat sugar-free candy, and chew sugarless gum. If you don’t like how artificial sweeteners taste, only replace part of your sugar with them so the taste is lighter, or just use less.
Cutting back isn’t the same as cutting out. It’s okay to treat yourself to the occasional cookie or slice of cake. With the above steps, you’ll be able to eat less sugar and maintain a healthy, radiant smile!
About the Author
Do you find yourself constantly wanting sweet treats? Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry can help by giving you useful tips to overcome your sugar addiction. If eating large amounts of sugary treats has left you with oral health issues like cavities, they can also administer restorative treatments like dental fillings to repair your teeth and get your smile back on track. To schedule an appointment with Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry or to get more information on how you can defeat your sugar cravings for a healthier smile, visit their website or call their office at (904) 272-0800.