It’s that time of year again! Halloween is around the corner, and with it, our day of sweet indulgence without guilt is almost here. Everywhere you look, your favourite chocolate and candy are available to satisfy your craving. Although getting caught up in the festivities can be easy, it’s important to keep your oral health in mind. Increased exposure to sugary or sour substances can help bacteria thrive and create cavities in kids and adults. Along with it, other dental problems can arise, such as a broken tooth, worn-out enamel, or tooth infection.
As your trusted dentist in NE Calgary, we want to share our tips on keeping your teeth healthy while still satisfying your sweet tooth:
- Fruits: Many candies are fruit-flavoured – grape, orange, peach, strawberry, watermelon, pineapple and mango. You name it! That’s why fruits are a great alternative to your favourite candies. Plus, they contain fructose, which is a natural sugar.
- Smoothies: Drinking a smoothie is a much healthier option compared to eating sweets. Smoothies are made by pureeing fruits through a blender and adding a bit of milk to preserve the fruits’ natural flavour and sugar.
- Dark Chocolate: If you’re a big fan of chocolate, then dark chocolate might be the best alternative for you! This type of chocolate contains less sugar than your normal milk chocolate and is a rich source of antioxidants and minerals. However, you should still be wary of how much you eat!
- Yogurt: Eating yogurt as an afternoon snack can help you crave your sweet tooth. Yogurt is rich in calcium and protein, which is why this tasty snack can help you ease your hunger and cravings.
What Causes Sweet Cravings?
Three main factors contribute to a sweet tooth (and no, a sweet tooth is not a literal tooth): genetics, environment, and blood sugar imbalance. The most dominant reason for having sweet cravings is genetics. Many studies and researchers provide evidence that genetics can cause you to crave sweets. How? Well, there are specific gene variants that detect sweetness and other gene variants that detect bitterness. So, if your child loves to eat sweets and snacks after dinner, you don’t have to wonder why! Another big influence in your environment. The environment we grow up in heavily influences most of us in our lives, from how we speak, the type of lifestyle we have, and the kinds of foods we eat. If you grew up having people around you constantly snacking, it is not surprising that you also adapt their habits and lifestyle. The last, and most concerning factor of a sweet craving, is a blood sugar imbalance. Excessively snacking on sweet treats is a sign of sugar imbalance in the body and is a potential sign of diabetes.
Stopping life-long habits isn’t easy. That’s why you should visit your Calgary dentist today to see what methods you can use to control your cravings for sweets.
If you are looking for an affordable dentist in Calgary that can help you treat sweet cravings and provide an overall dental checkup, visit McCall Dental. Our goal is to help your oral needs. Call us at 587-747-0888 or text us at 587-315-7184 to book an appointment.