Is it really safe to have sugar-free drinks? We spoke to Dr Shantanu Jaradi, aesthetic dentist for more on this...
Healthy eating is essential for your overall health. Choosing foods and beverages that provide the right amount of energy and nutrients goes a long way toward maintaining not only a healthy body, but also a healthy mouth. To prevent cavities and maintain good oral health, your diet -- what you consume and how often you consume -- are important factors. Changes in your mouth start the minute you eat certain foods.
Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars and carbohydrates from the foods you eat to acids, and it's the acids that begin to attack the enamel on teeth, starting the decay process. The more often you eat, drink and snack, the more frequently you are exposing your teeth to the cycle of decay.
Eating a nutritious diet has many benefits. A well-balanced diet should include foods from the basic food groups and subgroups along with the right oils. Nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals are a staple of healthy diets, but it's also important to avoid eating too many or too few Your everyday table sugar, otherwise known as sucrose, has 16 calories per teaspoon and can be found in many foods and drink items. But as communities become more conscious of caloric intake and oral bacteria, many have turned to sugar free drinks as an alternative. Specialists often recommend that patients who are overweight or struggling from weight-related illnesses avoid drinking their calories. Still, store shelves and vending machines are introducing more sugar free drink choices to promote gentler diets.
Although several beverages on the market are naturally sugar free, others use scientifically altered sweeteners that replace sugar to maintain their appealing flavor. Some examples of naturally sugar free beverages include freshly brewed tea coffee, and both regular and carbonated water. Naturally occurring, no-calorie sweeteners such as the stevia plant can be added to certain products as well, in addition to naturally sweet items that have calories, such as agave nectar and honey.
The usual mindset of people
Many people choose sugar-free beverages because they believe they are safer for their teeth. However, a label of "sugar-free" should not automatically be taken to mean "safe for your teeth." The acidic flavorings and preservatives may in fact lead to dental erosion, even if they contain cavity-fighting and "tooth friendly" xylitol.
Unlike cavities, dental erosion is a process of incremental decalcification, which, over time, literally dissolves your teeth. Virtually any food or beverage that is acidic can contribute to tooth erosion, including carbonated beverages like soda, sports drinks, fruit juice, lemon juice and vinegar.
Benefits of Sugar Free Drinks
Weight control and the prevention of type-2 diabetes are the two main benefits of consuming sugar free drinks, or those that contain natural sweeteners. Sugar-laden drinks add unnecessary calories to the diets of those who consume them, leading to an increase in the risk for type-2 diabetes for these individuals. Sugar free drinks eliminate these empty calories, giving you the freedom to indulge in a sweet taste without the added caloric intake.
Potential Negative Effects of Sugar Substitutes
Although several surveys have raised concerns regarding the safety of consuming artificial sweeteners, no studies have confirmed that drinking products with artificial sweeteners added has a direct relationship with cancer diagnoses.
Nonetheless, seek out sugar free drinks in replacement of sugary sodas, sports drinks, juices and energy drinks to ensure both the oral and bodily well-being of your family. Natural alternatives such as plain tea, pure coffee or simply a glass of water remain the best choices when you're thirsty.
Protection of the teeth
Proper oral hygiene - including twice-daily tooth brushing, daily flossing and the use of fluoridated toothpaste - can help counteract the effects of acid de-mineralization.
Individuals who experience sensitivity from consuming too many sugary or acidic beverages can often find relief through the use of Colgate, Sensitive Pro-Relief, Enamel Repair toothpaste, whose additional active ingredient, potassium nitrate, helps to stop sensitivity at its source.Reducing or eliminating as many erosive beverages as possible from your diet is important if you want to protect your teeth from unnecessary damage. Keeping overall health in mind, it is important that individuals know different aspects of sugar free drinks and maintain good oral health.
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