Sugar Does More Than Expand Waistlines

Online, May 31, 2013 (Newswire.com) - In a world that considers dieting and weight control as the road to achieve overall health, oral health tends to take a lesser priority. While die-hard dieters know that eating small-amounts more often is a way to keep the pounds at bay, frequently snacking on sugary foods or sipping sugary beverages puts your teeth under continuous attack. The sugar found in these products contain teeth-damaging acid as well as empty calories, (calories that contain no nutritional value).

Food and Drinks to Avoid

Candy and sweets, high in sugar and empty calories, pack on the pounds and are a leading cause of tooth decay. The stickier the candies, the longer the acids in the refined sugar remain on the teeth, allowing the acids more time to do their damage. It would be wise to limit the really sticky candy like caramel and gummy bears.

Soft Drinks

Whether diet or regular, soft drinks are bad for both teeth and overall health. While both contain tooth-damaging acid, regular soft drinks also contain high levels of sugar that can cause tooth decay. Although diet soft drinks are sugar-free, they aren't necessarily the safer alternative. Some reports suggest additional health risks associated with diet soft drinks due to over-consumption. These reports suggest diet soda drinkers tend to eat more than they normally would because they believe drinking a zero-calorie soda gives them permission to over-indulge.

Fruit Juice, although it may contain some vitamins and nutrients, also contains high levels of sugar, calories and artificial flavorings. The extra sugars in fruit juice can do serious damage to teeth over time. Some fruit beverages marketed as 'fruit juices' contain excessive sugar and artificial flavorings.

Food and Drinks to Enjoy

Fruits and vegetables naturally contain many essential vitamins and nutrients needed to sustain a healthy mind and body. The natural sugars found in these foods stimulate saliva production, which acts as a neutralizer to dilute acid, washing it away from the mouth and protecting teeth against prolonged acid attacks. Citrus fruits, although they do contain acid, also contain Vitamin C which is essential for healthy gums and a strong immune system. Try drinking water during or after eating citrus to help rinse the mouth.

Lean red meat is an excellent source of protein and aids in muscle reproduction, which is good for the mouth because it contains one of the strongest muscles in the body - the tongue! Lean red meat (and other sources of protein such as nuts, eggs, poultry and fish) also contains B-vitamins and iron. B-vitamins, among other things, help the body's metabolism and aid in preventing canker sores. Getting the right amount of iron can also prevent mouth sores and inflammation of the tongue, which are both indicators of iron deficiencies.

Chicken or fish, often the food of choice for most dieters because of low caloric and cholesterol content also contain niacin, which helps prevent bad breath and mouth sores.

Dairy contains calcium and vitamin D, both vital ingredients for strong and healthy bone and teeth growth. Drinking milk really does the body, and teeth, good. The calcium and phosphates found in dairy products help to restore essential minerals to teeth, making them stronger. Vitamin D aids in promoting a strong immune system, and is required for the regulation of minerals found in the body.

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Total Vision Services, based in Cincinnati, offers both insured and noninsured vision benefits through a nationwide network of providers. For more information, visit www.totalvisioncare.com.