19 Mar Dentist Deer Park Tips: Rethink your Sugary Drink
Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), also known as sugary drinks, are beverages with added sugar. They are high in kilojoules, which can result in excessive weight gain and obesity.
If you’re not burning your sugars off, you can also increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers.
So, how much sugar is in your favourite thirst-quenchers?
Soft Drinks
Coca-Cola (12 oz. can) – 39 grams
Mountain Dew (12 oz. can) – 47 grams
Energy Drinks
Rockstar Energy Drink (16 oz. can) – 62 grams
Red Bull Energy Drink (8.3 oz. can) – 27 grams
Fountain Drinks
7-Eleven Coca-Cola Big Gulp – 91 grams
7-Eleven Coca-Cola Super Big Gulp – 146 grams
Juice Drinks
Golden Circle Tropical Fruit (591 ml bottle) – 70 grams
Snapple Lemon Iced Tea (16 oz. bottle) – 46 grams
Daily Juice Orange (591 ml bottle) – 48 grams
Milk Drinks
Nesquik Chocolate Milk (16 oz. bottle) – 58 grams
Vita Soy Milk (240 ml) – 18 grams
Alcoholic Drink
Mike’s Hard Lemonade (11.2 oz. bottle) – 30 grams
Pay attention to what you are drinking. Choose healthy alternatives to sugary drinks. Choose to stay healthy and live well.
Excessive sugar consumption can negatively affect your body in many ways. It can lead to issues in our daily lives and even severe health complications.
Tooth Decay
The connection between sugar and tooth decay is well established. There is also substantial evidence that maintaining your intake of excess sugars at below 5% of your diet will help avoid cavities.
Soft drinks are among the most common dietary sources of tooth decay-causing sugar. Sugar and acid dissolve tooth enamel.
Diabetes
Researchers believed that obesity was the primary cause of diabetes, not sugar. However, new research has shown that sugar contributes to diabetes, beyond merely the calories that it contains.
An increase of one can of soda per day was associated with a 1.1% increase in diabetes prevalence.
Obesity
It is seen, more often than not, that people who become addicted to sugar cannot stop their consumption. An excess amount of sugar can adversely affect hormones and the brain.
Cut Back On Your Sugar!
Drink water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. Water is an essential nutrient for active people. It is necessary to replace the water you lose when you sweat. So, instead of drinking energy drinks after working out, drink water!
Keep It Handy
- Keep a water bottle on hand.
- Put fresh lemon or orange slices to add some natural flavour to your water.
- Drink water when you’re thirsty.
- Replace energy drinks with water. This helps you cut back slowly on sugar-sweetened beverages.
Here are some dental hygiene tips you can follow to promote excellent oral hygiene.
Proper Brushing & Flossing
- Wash your mouth with water after eating or drinking. This will wash off some of the debris from your teeth.
- Make it a habit to brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss daily. Clean the surface of your tongue. This is an important step, often forgotten, to keep your teeth healthy and white.
- See a dentist and hygienist at least once every six months to prevent the spread of bacteria and decay.
- Change your toothbrush regularly. A toothbrush should not be used longer than a maximum of three months.
- Replace your toothbrush after you suffer any illness to prevent the risk of getting yourself sick again.
- Use a mouth rinse that contains fluoride to help protect your teeth from cavities by keeping their enamel strong.
Proper Diet
Limit sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Drinks such as sodas, coffee, and alcohol contain a high level of phosphorous, which can deplete the body’s calcium level when taken excessively.
This can cause dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. It is advisable to drink water or milk instead of sugar-sweetened beverages.
The Deer Park Dental Surgery Difference
Deer Park Dental Surgery delivers outstanding patient care and customer service to the growing community in the Deer Park area and surrounding regions.
We are situated in a busy medical centre in Brimbank Shopping Centre. We offer Saturday hours, which cater to family needs and busy patients.
Parking is hassle-free.
GAP FREE – Comprehensive Check Up, Clean & X-rays (if needed)
(with any health insurance) for new patients only
If you have concerns on your dental health, call us immediately on (03) 9360 4417 or visit us at T097a Brimbank Shopping Centre Neale Road in Deer Park.