Going Sugar Free… The Right Way

Posted by: Dr. Sirakian Categories: Uncategorized

Thinking about cutting back on sugar? You may be considering replacing your sugar intake with artificial sweeteners to cut the number of calories you take in. However, there are certain things to watch out for:

“Sugarless” isn’t always so – A product may claim to be ‘sugarless’ or ‘no sugar added’ but that doesn’t mean that there is no sugar, it just means they didn’t add any refined sugar to it during processing. Have a look at the nutrition information to see how many carbs are in the food to get a better idea of how much sugar there is in the food.
Sugar alcohols are a good replacement – There are certain ingredients that are described as ‘sugar alcohols’. These aren’t actually alcohol and they won’t cause intoxication. The FDA has said they don’t cause cavities, and in fact, one of them, Xylitol, actually protects teeth!
Artificial sweeteners – The widely used and FDA-approved sweeteners (such as aspartame and sucralose) haven’t shown to be dangerous for human consumption. You do, however, need to watch out for impacting the flavor of a dish if you are using it in your own cooking. For instance, aspartame can’t be used for baked goods since it degrades at high temperatures!

Waxed vs. Unwaxed Dental Floss: Which One Should You Use?

If you’ve ever shopped for dental floss (and you really should!), you may have noticed there are two common varieties of traditional nylon floss: waxed and unwaxed. While they both serve the same purpose, they feel very different and can work better for different mouths. If you’ve ever wondered which type is best, here’s a […]

A Tooth Growing Inside the Nose? A Rare but Real Dental Condition

Imagine visiting your doctor for a stuffy, runny nose that just won’t go away — and discovering that the cause is a tooth growing inside your nose. It may sound unbelievable, but this rare condition has been documented in medical literature. In fact, according to an article from Live Science, one man received this exact […]

How Do Different Types of Water Affect Your Dental Health?

By now, you’re probably aware that drinking soda and even fruit juice can negatively affect your dental health. This makes sense, considering their high sugar content. But what about water? Believe it or not, even water—our often trusted and reliable friend—can have surprising effects on your teeth. Between bottled water, filtered tap water, straight tap […]

Signs Your Enamel May Be Eroding

What Is Tooth Enamel and Why It Matters Enamel is the hard, protective layer that covers the surface of your teeth. It helps shield them from damage and decay. Over time, however, enamel can wear away if your mouth is frequently acidic, you grind your teeth, or you brush too hard. But how can you […]

Can Plaque-Identifying Toothpaste Help Prevent Heart Attacks or Strokes?

Can toothpaste save your life? Surprisingly, new research suggests it might play a role. Your oral health is closely connected to your overall health. In fact, what happens in your mouth can impact the rest of your body — including your heart. That’s why researchers are exploring new ways to improve oral hygiene and reduce […]