Halloween Trick and Treats...the Nasty Impact of Sugar on Your Teeth

Sugar and spice and everything nice…we all love that bit of sweet, but sugar is the biggest cause of tooth decay.  Sugar directly fuels the bacteria that leads to dental decay and other dental health issues.  Humans love sugar and consume more added sugar than we should, approximately 17 teaspoons on average, nearly double the recommended maximum.   Here is how sugar impacts your dental health and why moderation is the key.

Sugar Feeds Harmful Bacteria

·         When you eat or drink sugary foods, the bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar.  As they digest the sugar, acid is created which erodes the protective enamel on your teeth.

·         Each acid attack can last 20-30 minutes after sugar consumption.  Frequent snacking and sipping sugary drinks means your teeth are constantly under attack leaving the enamel less time to recover and re-mineralize.

·         Overtime, these enamel breakdowns lead to cavities.  Repeated acid exposures breakdown the crucial minerals weakening the enamel creating a porous condition where cavities can form leaving the tooth susceptible to decay and infection.

·         Liquid Sugar and Sticky Candies are the worst offenders.  Sticky candies such as gummy bears, caramels cling to teeth longer extending acid exposure.  Sugary drinks, such as sodas, flavored sweet coffees, and energy drinks, bathe the teeth in sugar and acid especially if sipped slowly.  Even natural sugars like honey or fruit juices can be harmful if consumed regularly.

·         Sugar reduces saliva effectiveness.  Salvia is your natural rinse agent to wash away food particles and neutralize acids.

Hidden sugars are everywhere in our modern diet. It’s often in unexpected places such as salad dressings, bread, granola bars, and flavored yogurts.  Read the nutrition labels to spot the hidden sugar to help you make wise healthy choices for your oral health.

Sugar is sweet and does not have to be eliminated from your diet completely.  You can control the impact on your dental health by limiting sugary snacks and drinks between meals.  Moderation is the key.  Drink water after consuming sweets or pop in a stick of sugarless gum to increase salvia production. Keep your sweet tooth healthy by brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and visit your dentist regularly.

Plainsboro Dental Careis your full-service, family practice dental office.  Call us today at 609-799-4422 to schedule an appointment.