Guest post by Tabitha Acret, Dental Hygienist at AIRFLOW Dental Spa.
The festive season is upon us, which means we are about to welcome an increased indulgence in alcohol, sugary foods, and every other naughty vice! Whilst we should all relax a little and enjoy the festivities, it’s just as important to keep our oral health on track. Here’s why:
Lollies and chocolate! They’re everywhere you turn as Christmas creeps up; on the coffee table, as decorations, the go-to Secret Santa. I’m not saying you can’t treat yourself, but maybe think about how many you’re having and the timing of them. Reducing the amount of sweets that we eat is an obvious solution, but did you know the time that we choose to eat them is just as important? Instead of snacking throughout the day on sweets, and having the sugar constantly attack your teeth, it is far better to coordinate your sweets intake with another meal meaning your mouth can return to a neutral pH and fight off the excess sugar. Like they say, it’s all about balance.
Along with sweets, the Aussie festive season means warm days and balmy nights – BBQS galore. Two foods that may surprise you as being laden with sugar are salad dressings and sauces.
Pre-made salad dressings and vinaigrettes contain approximately 5-7 grams of sugar in just one small serving (2 tablespoons). What you can do, is swap to homemade option, combining olive oil and lemon, and in doing so reduce your sneaky sugar content. Same goes for tomato and BBQ sauce… before you lather that sausage be aware that store purchased sauces contain high amounts of processed sugar. Some BBQ sauces containing 13 grams of sugar in just two table spoons!
Cover your ears, but cocktails are filled with sugar due to the added syrups, liquors, mixers and juices. Whilst I love an Aperol Spritz as much as the next person, it is important to be aware of the high sugar content and limit yourself to just one before switching to a low-sugar mixer.
Some liquors will have up to 33 grams of sugar per 30mls! Go out for a fun night with friends but bear in mind you may be consuming your monthly sugar intake in only a couple of cocktails. Enjoy yourself however, be aware of what you are consuming by swapping out the high sugar options for drinks, such as red wine, beer or clear spirits with soda water. Worried about what the red wine might do to your pearly whites? We recommend regularly visiting your dental hygienist for a clean with AIRFLOW Dental Spa Technology to painlessly remove any lingering stains and leave your teeth feeling stronger and brighter.
Beware of the sneaky Tonic water, fooling people since day dot because 1) it has water in the title and 2) it’s clear. However, adding a little tonic water to your tipple can be piling on another 22grams of sugar – that’s more than some soft drinks!
For those who overindulged and are already feeling the festive hangover, my one recommendation would be to make sure you skip the energy drink as your hangover cure. While you may be drinking it purely for the caffeine hit, it’s handy to note that they are filled with up to 29 grams of sugar per serving. You’re more than likely feeling worse for wear thanks to dehydration, so drink plenty of cool water and a have cup of tea for your caffeine hit.
ABOUT: Tabitha has 22 years’ experience in the dental industry. She graduated from Newcastle University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Oral Health and has since worked in private practice and as a dental educator at Sydney University.
Tabitha has a passion for community dentistry, preventative care and implant maintenance. She has volunteered clinically both within Australia and overseas and volunteers on a regular basis for the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia (DHAA). She is the current DHAA National Vice President, Northern Territory Director and Chair of Continuing Education nationally.
ABOUT: The recently launched EMS AIRFLOW® Dental spa means that you can now experience lighter and brighter clean teeth without the pain! No more mess, no more nails scraping like noise on the blackboard and no more cold water. AIRFLOW® is a revolutionary, non-contact form of dental cleaning and prevention. It projects a controlled stream of air, warm water and powder onto the tooth and in hard-to-reach areas to dislodge and remove food, bacteria, discolouration and stains. Goodbye coffee and red wine stains! The high-pressure water/air stream cleans your teeth much faster, efficiently and comfortably than the use of traditional cleaning methods. AIRFLOW® is akin to being at a day spa but instead of beauticians working on your face, your dentist or dental hygienist is gently exfoliating your teeth. With the water in the AIRFLOW® Dental Spa heats up to 40 degrees, it’s a positively warm experience.
To experience the AIRFLOW Dental Spa visit www.airflowdentalspa.com.au to find your closest dental practice. Can’t find a practice near you? Recommend your local dental practice here: www.airflowdentalspa.com.au/suggest-practice
