Do You Eat More Sugar Than You Should?

A container a sugar. Caption: Cutting your daily sugar intake reduces cavity risk.

RECENTLY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, (WHO), revised their guidelines for the amount of free sugar that should be consumed each day. “Free sugar” is sugar that does not naturally occur in food. Foods high in natural sugar, like honey and fruit juices, are also counted as free sugars.

WHO Recommends We Eat Half As Much Sugar

Research has shown sugar consumption is the leading cause of cavities. The bacteria in our mouths feed on sugar and create acid. This acid removes minerals from the enamel of our teeth and causes decay. Reducing sugar intake can drastically cut down on tooth decay. The World Health Organization has suggested that sugar should account for only 3% of our daily calories, or 5% at the very most. The previous suggested maximum limit was 10%.

Cavities Are Preventable

Sugar reduction is one way to protect your teeth from cavities. Here are a few more ideas that will keep the cavities away.

  • Brush and floss regularly. This may seem elementary, but it really works!
  • Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking acidic foods.
  • Keep your regular dental checkups! Your dentist will be able to watch and detect any signs of trouble.

Thank you for being our friends and valued patients. If you have any thoughts on the World Health Organization’s guidelines please comment below. We would love to hear your thoughts!

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