Sweet Tooth

Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was the time to use up food you weren’t allowed to eat during Lent. It was also the day to confess all your sins so that you may be forgiven for the following 40 days of penance. Well, there is something I need to get off my chest.

Hello. My name is Joy Scott and I am a sugar addict.

For me Pancake Day is all about gorging on lemon drizzled sugar, melted chocolate, calorific ice-cream and anything sickly sweet that can be rolled up in a batter casing. It is a day where I can fill my face full of sugar loaded treats without feeling guilty.

There is a down side to all this sugar loading though, aside from the rapidly expanding waistline. My teeth won’t be thanking me for all those harsh acids I’m sending their way. According to The British Dental Health Foundation, every time I pop some sugary goodness into my greedy gob I’m subjecting my teeth to an hour of acidic attack.

Despite my unhealthy addiction, I care a lot about oral hygiene. In fact, I’m mildly obsessed. The first time I meet someone new I’ll quietly study their smile, ‘yellow tinge? Must be a smoker. Early gum disease? Doesn’t brush properly’. Don’t think I’m not as fascinated by my own teeth. I’ll thoroughly scrutinize them in the privacy of my bathroom before returning to a large bag of sweets and a can of coke. Turns out I’m not only judgemental but hypocritical too, but what can we do to make our gnashers really sparkle with health?

Clean up your Act
Some of us have monthly facials, while others will take time each week to apply a face mask. You might not be averse to a regular deep cleaning treatment for your skin, but what about your teeth? The Colgate Total Professional Weekly Clean (£3.49 at Boots) is a toothpaste designed to leave the mouth gleaming, by cleaning and polishing choppers to perfection.

Goody Gum Drops
If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, then the probability is that you have gum disease. This should be examined by your dentist who can tell you exactly what steps you need to take for healthier gums.