I am very pleased with my services from the staff at 7 O’Clock Dental and Dr. Tripp. The office is very clean and I was welcomed by Crystal at the front desk that made me at ease. I had a tooth that needed to be removed and I was extremely nervous about the procedure, but Dr. Tripp assured me that I would be fine. He removed the tooth and I could not believe it when he told me he was done. It was painless and extremely quick. I would recommend 7 O’Clock Dental to anyone seeking dental treatment.
Would you pour yourself a tall glass of soda or a few scoops of ice cream right after waking up? Probably not! However, many common breakfast foods and drinks contain these same amounts of added sugars – or even more! Sugar may provide extra flavor, but having too much in your diet could be harming your dental health. Today, we’ll discuss a few favorite breakfast foods with too much sugar and some healthier alternatives.
Why Is Sugar So Bad for Your Teeth?
Before we dive into which breakfast foods have a lot of sugar, we want to discuss why sugar is so bad for your teeth. When sugar blends in with the bacteria inside your mouth, it can blend in with the harmful bacteria in your mouth. As a result, decay can develop more easily over time. Starting your day free from added sweeteners helps sidestep these concerns.
Watch Out For These Breakfast Foods With Added Sugars
- Yogurt
It may surprise you to see this at the top of the list. While yogurt often tops the “healthy breakfast options” list, look closely at the ingredients. Flavored ones or added toppings like granola can significantly increase your sugar intake.
Choose plain yogurt and stir in berries, which are nature’s natural sweetener. If you do need your yogurt a little sweeter, add your own through healthier alternatives like honey. Just be careful not to overdo it.
- Cereal
Cereal aisles are advertised as “healthy,” but they’re loaded with refined carbs and sweets. Even “natural” granola can have added sugar. Stick with minimally processed whole grains for your breakfast, such as whole wheat toast, oatmeal, or shredded wheat cereals. For added flavor, mix in fruit, like berries or sliced bananas.
- Coffee Drinks
Fancy coffee drinks taste more like dessert than an eye-opening morning brew. All those pumps of syrup, sugary swirls, chocolate drizzles, and whipped cream add up fast. Swap out your favorite sweet drink with a black coffee. Or, if you don’t like plain coffee, stir in your own measurement of sugar. It is likely to contain far less than what the barista gives you.
- Breakfast Pastries
An occasional treat is fine, but regularly eating morning pastries is like starting your day with a dessert. You expose your teeth to even more sugar by topping off pancakes and waffles with syrup. If you can’t resist these hot breakfast choices, swap out syrup for a nut butter spread. It’ll give you added protein and cut down on the sugar.
- Eggs
You’d think eggs were sugar-free, yet we sabotage this protein-packed breakfast with sweetened condiments like ketchup. Swap out your sugary sauces for salsa, hot sauce, or a sprinkle of cheese for added flavor.
Too much sugar could be harming your oral health and increase your risk for dental decay and other problems. Make sure you read labels carefully and make smart swaps to enjoy sweetness from natural sources instead. Your smile, energy levels, and overall vitality don’t need the added sugars!
Whichever your breakfast of choice, flush away the food particles and bacteria by drinking water and lightly swishing it around. Wait 30 minutes, then brush your teeth. Brushing too soon after an acidic food or beverage can harm your tooth enamel.
Want more personalized tips or to schedule a checkup? Make an appointment in New Orleans, LA, call 7 O’Clock Dental at 504-266-0664 or schedule online.