It’s practically everywhere these days. In your soda and sports drinks. In your bread. In your peanut butter. Sugar is in most food and drink products, and the average American consumes about 77 grams per day, about three times the recommended amount!

In addition to increasing the risk of diabetes, obesity, and other health problems, sugar also encourages cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth, drastically raising the risk of damaging tooth decay. But it tastes so good! How can you beat your sugar cravings? Here are some tips to help you.

Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but you can still think about your heart! February is American Heart Health Month—the perfect time to learn how you can improve your cardiovascular health. While your physician would tell you to be active and exercise often, which you should certainly do, there’s an easy way to protect your heart that is often overlooked: keeping your mouth healthy.

Keep reading to learn how putting in a little effort to strengthen your smile can help your heart stay strong too!