Sugar-Shock: How Hidden Sugars in Everyday Foods Affect Your Oral Health

Sugar is widespread in our diets, and it would be a challenge to cut it out entirely. Not to mention, sugar can be so enjoyable. Who doesn’t love the occasional dessert or piece of chocolate?

While occasional treats might be fine, it’s important to think about your overall sugar intake so you can take steps to reduce it. But with hidden sugars cropping up unexpectedly in our favourite foods – even those advertised as being healthy – it can be difficult to control how much sugar you eat every day.

Sugar and oral health

Cutting down on your sugar intake is one of the best things you can do for your oral health and your wider health. A diet high in sugar is linked to tooth decay, gum disease and obesity. By reducing the amount of sugar in your diet, and by enjoying small amounts of sugar as a treat following a meal, you can reduce the impact on your teeth and wider health.

But it isn’t always that simple. Particularly when there are high levels of sugar lurking in food items that we traditionally think of as being quite healthy. These are some of the worst culprits.

Granola

You might have this in your mind as being a healthier version of cereal, but many granola brands are packed with sugar. The granola chunks are often stuck together with honey, maple syrup or brown sugar. They can also contain chocolate and dried fruits like raisins that are very high in sugar.

Low fat yoghurt

You might think you are doing your body a favour by reaching for a low fat yoghurt, but this will usually have very high sugar content. This might be in the form of added sugar, or it could be a fruit syrup added to the yoghurt to give it flavour.

Smoothies

A smoothie made primarily with vegetables and sweetened with low sugar fruits could be healthy, but the majority of smoothies available in supermarkets will contain high sugar ingredients like grape juice, banana puree and apple juice. Since the fruit is juiced, you’re also missing out on the fibre that would help to slow down the sugar hitting your bloodstream.

Sports drinks

Hydration drinks for sports are specially formulated to replenish glucose and electrolyte stores and they should really only be used for intense physical activity. If you are enjoying these outside of sports, you could be consuming huge amounts of sugar without realising it. Sugar free versions are available if you want the rehydration benefits without the dental damage.

Pre-made sauces

The second ingredient in many pre-made pasta sauces is usually sugar. Learning how to make your own sauces at home is a great way to cut out these hidden sugars. You can also blend in lots of hidden veggies to enjoy a healthy and nutritious dinner that tastes even more delicious than something out of a jar.

Instant oats

Porridge has superfood status, but if you’re reaching for instant oats instead of plain porridge, you could be unwittingly consuming a huge portion of sugar. Instant oats and pre-packaged oats are usually packed with sugar to make them more tasty without having to add anything. You’d be far better off making porridge with plain oats and sweetening it with a small amount of agave syrup or honey.

Protect your smile from hidden sugars

Concerned about the impact of sugar on your teeth? Schedule a check-up with your dentist to catch any cavities and other issues early, or book a deep clean with your dental hygienist to remove plaque and keep your mouth healthy.