Dental Facts: 8 Sweet Treats to Stay Away From

Sugar is found naturally in a variety of meals, ranging from fruits to dairy products, but it is also added to a variety of other meals. Parents concerned that their children's meals include too much sugar should read product labels before purchasing and try to prevent unhealthy snacking habits to reduce their children's risk of dental and general healthconcerns.

When it comes to sugar, how much is too much?

Sugar consumption should not exceed 10% of a person's daily calorie intake, according to health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO). This equates to around 50g or 12 teaspoons of sugar per day for someone with a healthy BMI.

1. Pudding

If you enjoy the convenience of a quick pudding mix for family treats or a sinful snack, read the nutritional label first to see how much sugar it contains. While sugar-free choices exist, some products contain more than 60 grams of sugar per 100 grams. Some can weigh as much as 90 grams!

2. Ice Cream

Chocolate, pastries, and other sweet goodies are added to the sugary ice creams. You should think hard about getting one for your child at a fast-food restaurant because they can contain more than 80 grams of sugar every 340 grams dish. Even typical retail ice cream tubs might contain more than 50 grams of sugar per serving.

3. Canned and Dried Fruit

Fresh fruit is advised as part of a healthy lifestyle and can be beneficial to your teeth, while dried fruits are not. These are heavy in sugar and can adhere to the teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay. Over 90 grams of sugar may be found in a cup of dried currants or dates and raisins. Dry apricots, mangoes, and peaches may contain more than 60 grams, while dried apples and bananas can have more than 40 grams.

4. Baked goods

Many cakes are high in sugar, which should come as no surprise. While there are many excellent low-sugar and sugar-free cake recipes available, cakes with frosting can contain 50–60 grams of sugar each piece.

 5. Lollypops

Some chews and lollipops contain more than 30–40 grams of sugar. Hard lollipops might be dangerous as well. Not just because they increase the chance of chipping a tooth, but also because they tend to linger in the mouth for longer, increasing the amount of time they come into touch with your teeth.

 6. Chocolates

Sugar content in milk chocolate and white chocolate is typically high, notably in confectionery bars and buttons, which often include 30–50 grams of sugar per serving. The good news is that if you drink water straight afterwards, chocolate is quite easy to rinse off your teeth. Dark chocolate has less sugar, making it gentler on the teeth.

7. Yogurt

Low-fat yoghurts are not to be trusted. They may be low in fat and vitamin-fortified, but many are nonetheless rich in sugar, with some tubs containing 30–40 grams of sugar.

8. Cereal bars

You might believe muesli bars, cereal, and granola are the healthy options to other sugary snacks, but they frequently contain up to 40% sugar due to the dried fruit. Look for low-sugar variants with less than 15g of sugar to protect your teeth.

What can I do to take care of my teeth?

Always read the nutritional labels and compare goods before making a purchase. Limiting sugary snacks and drinks, brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, drinking lots of water, and seeing the dentist for regular check-ups are all important aspects of proper oral hygiene.