How does Yogurt effect my teeth?
Did you know? That a single cup (254 grams) of low fat yogurt contains on average 45 grams of sugar. This equates to 11 teaspoons!
To put this into perspective, in accordance to ‘health.org‘, the suggested daily intake of sugar for men is no more than 9 teaspoons (36 grams). While for women, the recommendation is lower at 6 teaspoons (25 grams) of sugar.
Sugar attracts bad bacteria in the mouth that causes tooth decay. Increasing sugar intake with poor oral hygiene advances bacteria that destroys tooth enamel.
With yogurts containing less sugar or Sugar-Free, research has found that yogurt can have some benefits towards oral health. Sugar-Free yogurts containing probiotics are commonly referred to as a “superfood” by dieticians:
- As yogurt contains high quantities of calcium, which helps to strength bones, this can also help strengthen your teeth. Calcium assists in maintaining bone density.
- With yogurts containing rich probiotics (active cultures), which are known to contain good bacteria. The bacteria within the probiotics can help fight bad bacteria in the mouth and gums.
- Sugar-free yogurts help to reduce the acidity in the mouth. The decrease in oral acidity helps to breakdown harmful bacteria that may cause cavities.