People who crave sugary foods such as candy, cookies, and soda might claim that they have a sweet tooth. Sugar can have serious consequences for your teeth. However, once sugar is understood, it can be countered with conscious consumption and a regular oral care routine.
What does sugar do to your teeth?
Perhaps you have heard about sugary drinks and wondered if sugar is bad for your teeth. Sugar by itself will not cause damage to your teeth. Instead, the chain of events that follows each sugary treat can do so. These events, which can lead to tooth decay (also known as cavities), should be addressed.
How Cavities Form
A variety of the hundreds of bacteria in your mouth are beneficial for maintaining good oral health. Certain harmful bacteria can thrive on sugars found in foods.
The bacteria produce acids during the feeding process that weaken tooth enamel, which is the protective outer layer. The enamel can continue to erode and develop pits. These pits are difficult to see initially but can grow over time.
These are holes. Cavities can develop beyond the enamel into deeper layers of your tooth, leading to pain, infection, and eventual tooth loss.
Your Mouth is a constant battle
Acids can cause damage to your teeth. However, this damage can be reversed. Acids strip minerals from enamel through a process called “demineralization”. Remineralization is a natural process that replaces these minerals and strengthens teeth. This process is dependent on your saliva.
To help restore teeth, saliva contains minerals like calcium and phosphates. Fluoride, which can be found in drinking water as well as many types of toothpaste, is another mineral that aids in the repair of weaken enamel.
Natural remineralization might not be enough to protect you if your habit of eating sweets and starches all day, or if your mouth is dry.
How to protect your teeth from sugar-induced damage
It may seem impossible to eliminate sugar from your diet in order to fight acid attacks. You can help prevent tooth decay by adopting less extreme lifestyles and assisting the remineralization process. These are some tips to help you avoid tooth decay.
- Reduce your sugar intake. Eating more fiber-rich foods and less sugary treats can have many benefits for your health. Making a few small changes throughout the day can help slow down demineralization. Instead, check out these teeth-healthy foods.
- Limit your intake of sugar. Select sweets that are quick to clear the mouth. Drinking soda or sucking on sticky candy like lollipops all day can prolong acid attacks and make your teeth more vulnerable.
- Avoid sugary foods. Acids can cause tooth decay for as long as 20 minutes after eating. To reduce acid production and clean the mouth from sugary food debris, avoid snacking and drinking throughout the day.
- After eating, chew sugarless gum. It not only removes food particles but stimulates saliva flow which is rich in essential minerals that can help to repair your teeth.
- Get plenty of water. Water, like sugarless gum, can wash away food leftovers and combat dry mouth. Additionally, fluoridated water aids in the remineralization process that makes your teeth stronger.
These tips can be combined with a daily routine for oral care: floss daily, brush twice a days with fluoride toothpaste and visit your dentist frequently. You can then take care of your smile and not have to give up sugar forever.