Sugar is everywhere in our daily lives, from snacks to drinks and even in some foods we might not even suspect. It has a purpose besides adding sweetness to our lives and can seriously damage our health and teeth.
While it is a common fact that sugar can lead to cavities, the science behind how it affects our oral health is deeper than that. This blog explores the relationship between sugar and oral health while providing tips on how to keep your oral health safe and maintain the sweet balance in your life.
The Science Behind Sugar and Tooth Decay
Consuming sugary foods and drinks does not simply pass through your system but interacts with the bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria feed on these sugars as much as you do and then produce acid on the surfaces of your teeth. These acids attack and weaken tooth enamel, which is the protective enamel of the teeth against external factors.
As time passes, these repeated acid attacks cause the enamel to break down, leading to cavities. The more sugar you consume, the more your teeth are exposed to these acids, increasing your risk of developing cavities.
Common Sources of Hidden Sugars
Processed Foods and Drinks:
Candy, soda, ketchup, salad dressings, breads, and pasta sauces contain sugar that can harm teeth. Sugary drinks like sodas, energy drinks, and flavored coffee can coat teeth in sugar and acids for long periods.
Even the packaged fruit juices marketed as healthy are also loaded with sugar and can contribute to decay if excessively consumed.
Natural Sugars vs. Added Sugars:
Sugars can either occur naturally or artificially. Naturally occurring sugars are found in whole fruits and vegetables, which contains vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients that are beneficial for your overall health.
However, the added sugars in processed foods have no nutritional value and are more harmful to your teeth. While both types of sugars can lead to tooth decay, added sugars are more dangerous as they are more concentrated and promote plaque buildup and acid production.
How Sugar Leads to Cavities
Every time you consume sugar in natural or added form, the bacteria in your mouth start working and producing acids that remove essential minerals from your tooth enamel, a process called demineralization. Saliva helps neutralize these acids and repairs the enamel by remineralizing it by depositing calcium and phosphate.
However, when excessive sugar is consumed, saliva cannot keep up with it, and the enamel continuously weakens.
If this continues, it creates cavities in the enamel, eventually growing deeper and larger. Over time, these cavities can reach the dentin and even the pulp, causing pain and infections.
Sugar and Gum Disease
Sugar is also highly associated with gum diseases as much as it is with cavities. Plaque buildup along the gumline can cause irritation and inflammation, causing gingivitis, which, if left untreated, can progress into periodontitis. Periodontitis is a gum disease that can potentially cause tooth loss as sugar fuels the harmful bacteria present in plaque. Thus, it is safer to limit or avoid sugar consumption.
Tips to Reduce Sugar’s Impact on Your Teeth
Limit Sugary Snacks and Drinks:
One easy way to protect your teeth is to limit the consumption of sugary snacks and drinks, especially between meals. When you consume sugary items throughout the day, these bacteria and acids expose your teeth to potential damage.
Instead, choose healthy snacking options such as raw veggies, cheese, or nuts, which can help maintain oral health.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene:
Good oral hygiene is necessary for minimizing the damage caused by sugar. Brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes, covering all surfaces of your teeth to remove all traces of plaque and strengthen your enamel.
Also, floss your teeth daily and rinse with a mouthwash to protect your teeth against decay-causing bacteria.
Regular Dental Checkups:
Visit your dentist at least twice a year for regular checkups. This is helpful in preventing cavities and other dental issues. During your checkup, the dentist can identify signs of tooth decay and other dental issues.
Maintaining healthier teeth involves reducing your daily sugar intake and replacing it with healthy foods and beverages that promote oral health.
If you still have questions, book an appointment with our expert at Rathi’s Dental Center, a well-known dental clinic in Juhu.