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Artificial sweeteners are bad for your teeth and gums, or are they healthy for your body and health?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that excessive sugar intake can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain. Sugar-sweetened beverages are a major culprit in adding sugar to your diet.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), also states that sugar can increase your risk of tooth decay. You might consider switching to other sweeteners for your morning coffee. Before you decide to switch, learn how artificial sweeteners affect your teeth.

Sugar and Your Teeth

Brazilian Oral Research published a study that found sugar (sucrose), is the most cariogenic among all carbohydrates. This means that it’s most likely to cause tooth decay.

The NIH points to the fact that sugar is broken down by bacteria in your mouth into acids. Plaque is formed when bacteria, saliva, and food combine to form acids. This substance sticks to your teeth, wears away your enamel, and eventually leads to cavities.

What is the difference between sugar and artificial sweeteners?

Artificial sweeteners have the advantage of adding sweetness to your diet without adding sugar calories. According to an international study published in the International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, non-nutritive sweeteners (also called artificial sweeteners) can often be significantly sweeter than sucrose. For example, saccharin and stevia are 300 times sweeter that sucrose, while sucralose can be 600 times sweeter.

There are many options for sweetening beverages or snacks that don’t contain sugar. Some common artificial sweeteners include:

  • Aspartame
  • Saccharin
  • Sucralose
  • Stevia
  • Acesulfame K

The Effects of Artificial Sweeteners On Your Teeth

Artificial sweeteners, unlike regular sugar, are non-cariogenic. This means that they don’t cause tooth decay. The IJBCP study demonstrates this. A British Dental Journal article also noted that sucralose has no effect on tooth decay.

The IJBCP study suggests that artificial sweeteners might have an anti-cariogenic impact. They may not cause tooth decay but may even work to prevent it. The pH of your mouth drops when you consume sugary foods or drinks. This is due to an increase acidity.

Artificial sweeteners may have an opposite effect. They can balance salivary pH and reduce the number of decay-causing bacteria.

Are Artificial Sweeteners Harmful for You?

Artificial sweeteners can have some positive effects on your teeth and oral health. Do you think this means that you should replace added sugary foods and beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners. It’s not. It is a smart decision to cut back on sugar, but you may not want to use artificial sweeteners in everything.

Harvard Medical School points out that if you swap a sugary soda with a diet soda sweetened by sucralose or amethyl alcohol, you are simply replacing one nutritionally suspect drink with another. Diet soda will not give you more calories but won’t provide the nutrition your body requires.

Your dentist should be consulted if you have any questions about your oral health or care routine. Regular brushing of your teeth twice daily and regular flossing will reduce the risk of tooth decay. This applies regardless of whether you add regular sugar, sucralose or aspartame to your morning cup.

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