Sugar Substitutes that will satisfy your Sweet Tooth

Are you one of the many people who crave sugary sweets on a daily basis? These cravings are especially high after you finish your meal. The bodies response to this sugar craving would be to reach out into your refrigerator and grab the tastiest looking chocolate bar or pastry slice. It’s fine to indulge in these tasty treats once in a while. However, consuming them every day in large quantities will lead to weight problems as they are loaded with calories. Plus, eating extremely sugary substances erodes the enamel in teeth leading to dental problems. Therefore, if you want to avoid an emergency visit to the dental clinic, we would recommend the consumption following sugar substitutes instead.

1.Coconut Sugar: The first sugar substitute which is slowly gaining popularity is Coconut Sugar. It is a natural sugar alternative which is extracted from coconut sap and is packed with nutrients. This sugar can easily be used as an alternative for making baked goods like cupcakes and brownies.

2.Honey:Honey has been used as a sugar substitute for years. Honey goes well with all the products which you usually mix with sugar such as milk, lemon juice, tea etc. And nowadays, there are many bakers who prepare their pastries and cakes only using honey. There are also plenty of health benefits that can be derived from having a teaspoon of honey every day.

3.Fruit juice: Having fruit juices is another healthy alternative to sugar, which will instantly satisfy your sugar cravings. You do not even need to spend time juicing your own fruits, as there are many companies which offer ready-made juices that contain 100% natural fruit and no added sugar. (How easy is that!)

4.Cinnamon:Cinnamon is one more food item which has many healthy properties and are naturally sweet to taste. They can be crushes into powder easily and added to any food dish to give more taste and enhance the flavor. Cinnamon is also one of those powerful antioxidants and loaded with nutrients like manganese and iron.

5.Carrots:Carrots have a natural sweet taste and is another healthy snack to have in between meals. Along with being a rich source of vitamin A, carrots have numerous health benefits, such as, they help to maintain your eyesight, promote healthy skin and even cleanse the body of toxins. They even save you a trip to the dentist, as they keep your teeth clean and strong.

6.Raisins:You can also eat a cup of raisins or any other dried fruits whenever you start getting those sweet cravings. These dried fruit items can be had as a healthy snacking alternative or added to your bowl of oats to make it more filling.

10 Best ways of Ensuring Good Oral Hygiene

There is an old saying ‘better safe than sorry’. And that holds true even for your teeth and gums. If you constantly suffer from bad breath or bleeding gums, it’s a shows that you have poor oral hygiene. However, there are a few simple steps which, if followed religiously, will get your oral health back on track in no time. Your teeth are a very precious asset, so take care of them to avoid cavities or tooth and gum decay

1. Brush two times a day: The first step towards maintaining good oral hygiene is to brush your teeth two times a day for about two minutes at least. You also have to make sure that the toothbrush which you use is able to reach the back of your mouth and is able to clean the rear teeth efficiently. Don’t forget to even brush your tongue as most of the bacteria tends to settle there.

2. Floss after every meal: Flossing after every meal is also important, if you want to ensure total oral care for your mouth. Even if a small food particle gets lodged in between your teeth, it could lead to tooth decay if not removed after long time. So whenever you feel that there is something stuck between your teeth, floss it out immediately. And for complete tooth care floss as soon as you finish your meals.

3. Gargle with mouthwash: The main purpose of a mouthwash is to freshen your breath. No one would like to stand near a person with bad breath. So avoid such embarrassing situations by gargling with a good mouthwash. This can be done after you finish brushing. There are many mouthwashes available which also help in destroying any remaining bacteria in the mouth, which could cause bad breath.

4. Kick the butt: If you are serious about maintaining your oral hygiene, you need to get rid of your smoking habit. The ingredients used in the manufacturing of cigarettes like tobacco, have a damaging effect on the tissues in gums. Along with bad breath, regular smoking causes yellowing of teeth and also damages the bones which connect to your gums.

5. Eat teeth strengthening foods: There are many foods like apples, cheese, carrots, etc. which help in enamel formation on your teeth and also increase saliva flow. These food items are easily available from your local grocery store and if added to your regular diet, will help in strengthening of your teeth and gums.

6. Reduce Sugary food consumption: When you were a kid, there must have been many times when your parents might have tried to discourage you from eating too much sugary foods by stating that it would spoil your teeth. And they were right! Eating too much sugary foods like chocolates and hard candies release harmful acids that can damage teeth and gums.

7. Drink fluoridated water: Drinking fluoridated water is another great way of maintaining overall oral hygiene. Fluoridated water is good drinking water with just fluoride added to it, which helps to prevent tooth decay. Most dental hygiene services agencies recommend drinking fluoridated water to combat tooth decay.

8. Chew Sugar-Free gum: Sugar-free gum not only acts as an alternative for your chocolate and candy cravings, but there are also some specially manufactured chewing gums which are actually meant for freshening breath and maintaining tooth health.

9. Use ADA-approved products: The American Dental Association is the most reputed name in the field of total oral care. With their guidance, you will purchase only those products, like toothbrushes and toothpastes, which will help you to maintain complete oral hygiene.

10. Visit your dentist: Finally, it is wise to pay a visit to your local dentist at least once a month for a complete oral checkup. He is the best person to advise and instruct you in the different ways in which you should care for your teeth and gums.